WOMEN IN CIRCULARITY:
CARING FOR RECYCLING AND A INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

Beiersdorf has launched a holistic social-environmental initiative "Women in Circularity" providing funding to four plastic waste recycling organizations with a social business. The objectives include:
(1) Expand infrastructure to boost plastic waste recycling in emerging economies
(2) Create jobs and provide training to support women in the waste management sector
The project will therefore have a positive environmental impact and will contribute to a more inclusive society.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS IN ARGENTINA, GHANA, INDIA AND KENYA

“Beiersdorf’s Women in Circularity Program” is a fund initiated and enabled by Beiersdorf’s donation and operated by Haus des Stiftens. Through a donation of €4 million, four recycling organizations are being supported: Delterra in Argentina, Recycle Up! Ghana in Ghana, Green Worms in India and TakaTaka Solutions in Kenya – countries which have been severely impacted by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. These organizations will be able to offer income and development opportunities for more than 1,600 women within the waste management sector, which will in a direct consequence also have a positive impact for their families and communities. The initiative will also help increase these organizations’ plastic waste collection and recycling capacity by ~15,000 tons of plastic per year by expanding their plastic waste management infrastructure including new recycling plants.

The funds will create new jobs and improve working and living conditions for women in the sector through the provision of training, occupational health and safety, health insurance and expanded immunization services. Plans also call for the establishment of an environmental promoter program to educate communities on recycling behavior, the awarding of academic scholarships and access to kindergartens, among other measures.

CREATING LASTING IMPACT THROUGH THE “WOMEN IN CIRCULARITY” INITIATIVE

WHY DO YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS NEED SPECIAL SUPPORT IN THE PANDEMIC?

In recent decades, educational opportunities and the general situation for young women and girls has improved in many places. However, the negative aftermath of the pandemic has been a major setback for female empowerment due to the fact that in crisis situations, inequalities and threatening conditions that already exist are often excerbated. "Women in Circularity" aims to support women in overcoming some of the hurdles experienced as a result of the pandemic (repaying loans that were taken, job loss, etc.) towards greater economic security and stability.

Green Worms in India

Green Worms in India

Green Worms in India

Green Worms in India

Green Worms in India

INITIATIVE ADDS TO CARE BEYOND SKIN SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA

Promoting a circular economy is one of the key targets of Beiersdorf’s CARE BEYOND SKIN Sustainability Agenda. In this context, Beiersdorf not only looks holistically at product improvements on the formula and packaging level, but also at projects that are centered around the implementation of a circular approach. “Beiersdorf’s Women in Circularity Program” adds to this important field of action beyond our value chain through the establishment and expansion of local recycling infrastructure within local markets in need of additional funding.

Furthermore, the initiative sets a new landmark also in the context of Beiersdorf’s social commitment “For an Inclusive Society” through the empowerment of women in the waste management sector. This central part of Beiersdorf’s COVID-19 Aid Program contributes to six of the UN’s 17 sustainability goals.