Why South Africa’s Circular Economy Needs More Women

As South Africa marks Women’s Month, attention naturally turns to the women shaping the country’s future across business, society and industry. Yet some of the most important opportunities for women’s economic participation are emerging in sectors that do not always receive the same attention, including the circular economy.

Across South Africa’s glass recycling value chain, women are already playing an important role. They collect recyclable glass, operate buy-back centres, work in manufacturing, lead businesses and help keep glass in circulation rather than allowing it to end up in landfill.

Their contribution demonstrates that recycling is about more than environmental responsibility. It is also an economic system capable of creating livelihoods, supporting local businesses and opening pathways to entrepreneurship.

Every bottle that enters the recycling stream becomes part of a much larger network involving collectors, buy-back centres, transporters, recyclers and manufacturers. As that network grows, so too does its potential to support communities and create opportunities for people to participate in the circular economy.

"Every bottle collected supports a much bigger network of collectors, buy-back centres, transporters, recyclers and manufacturers. Women are contributing across this value chain every day and they are helping build a stronger recycling industry," says Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of The Glass Recycling Company (TGRC).

For Jhetam, recognising women's contribution is only the starting point. The next step is creating the conditions for more women to participate, build businesses and progress into leadership positions across the sector.

"At TGRC, we believe a stronger circular economy is one where more women can participate, prosper and lead. That's why we work alongside partners across the value chain to strengthen South Africa's glass recycling network. That includes supporting waste pickers, strengthening buy-back centres, expanding access to glass recycling banks and investing in initiatives that make recycling more accessible."

These interventions matter because access remains one of the biggest factors determining who can participate in the recycling economy. Infrastructure, collection points and functioning buy-back centres connect communities to the wider recycling value chain, while support for entrepreneurs can help transform participation into sustainable businesses.

As the network expands, the opportunity is not limited to collection. Women can participate as entrepreneurs, business owners, operators, manufacturers and leaders, creating businesses that generate income while contributing to a more sustainable economy.

"Women already contribute across every part of the glass recycling value chain, from collection and processing to manufacturing and leadership. As the industry grows, we want to see even more women entering the recycling economy as entrepreneurs, business owners and industry leaders. Their success will help build a stronger, more inclusive circular economy for everyone."

The opportunity is particularly significant as South Africa looks for economic models that can deliver both environmental and social value. A circular economy keeps materials in use for longer, reduces waste and creates opportunities around the recovery, processing and reuse of resources. In the case of glass, recycling creates a value chain that connects environmental sustainability directly to economic activity.

For women, this can translate into more than employment. It can provide opportunities to build enterprises, develop skills, generate independent incomes and move into leadership roles in an industry with room for continued growth.

Women's Month therefore offers an opportunity to recognise the women already contributing to South Africa's circular economy while considering what is needed to bring more into the sector.

Creating that future will require continued investment in infrastructure, support for entrepreneurs and greater access to recycling opportunities. It will also require recognising recycling not simply as an environmental initiative, but as an industry capable of creating meaningful economic participation.

By strengthening the glass recycling network and supporting the people who keep it moving, TGRC aims to contribute to a circular economy where more women can build sustainable livelihoods, grow businesses and take on leadership roles.

A stronger recycling industry ultimately benefits everyone. But ensuring women have the opportunity to participate, prosper and lead could make the circular economy stronger still.