Celebrating the Talented Women of South Africa’s Waste Sector

It’s 2024, and waste is women’s work. Today, thousands of purpose-driven women are building careers in the waste management sector, quietly resolving some of the world’s greatest environmental issues. In fact, a recent global survey found that over 80% of women in the waste sector work in leadership and specialist roles.?

Still, many of these inspiring innovators go unnoticed. In 2016, the International Solid Waste Association set out to change that with Women of Waste (WOW!) – a task force that spotlights women’s invaluable contributions to the waste industry. This Women’s Month, we share stories from some of South Africa’s very own WOW and the incredible work they do for the circular economy.?

Tracey Gilmore

Co-Founder and COO at Taking Care of Business

“Building a career in the waste industry offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the environment and society. With determination, education, and a supportive network, young women can grow and ultimately lead the way towards a more sustainable future.”?

In 2010, Tracey co-founded Taking Care of Business (TCB) with another wonderful woman of waste, Tracey Chambers. Today, Gilmore is the non-profit’s Chief Operations Officer and is responsible for keeping the social enterprise running and building partnerships that help it achieve its goals.?

Taking Care of Business empowers unemployed South Africans while keeping e-waste and textile waste out of landfills. The NPO offers educational courses that teach people how to build a small business selling preloved clothes, repairing broken appliances, or making new garments. It’s a hands-on, practical skills development initiative that supports the circular economy. Today, TCB has five branches in South Africa with the capacity to support 1,100 students at any given time.

?

Tracey started TCB to draw attention to the social element of the waste industry. All too often, sustainability excludes people in low-income communities, who don’t have the resources to participate in the circular economy. “By bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and social inclusion,” she says, “we can create a more holistic approach to waste management.”?

Paula Peffer

Founder and Managing Director of URAD-SA?

“I've had the opportunity to mentor and inspire other women to enter the industry, creating a ripple effect of positive change. While there are still barriers to break, I'm proud to be a part of a growing movement of women in waste management, driving innovation and sustainability.”

Paula started Uniquely Recycled and Asset Disposal (URAD-SA) in 2019. The Johannesburg-based e-waste recycling company helps small businesses, large corporations, schools, clinics, and households dispose of old IT equipment responsibly. URAD-SA also offers hard drive sanitisation and destruction to ensure data security.?

Through her business, Paula aims to build a more sustainable future for generations to come. “I envision a system where waste is valued as a resource, and recycling and upcycling become the norm,” she says. URAD-SA is always open to strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand its positive impact.

Paula is also an advocate for women in the waste industry. She believes that they can bring a fresh perspective to waste management and encourages young women to participate. “Don't be intimidated by the industry's male dominance,” she insists, “instead, leverage your unique perspective and strengths to innovate and lead.”?

Isabella Daly and Khathu Rapea

Global Lead Auditors in environmental management systems at BACSS?

“The opportunities in this industry are endless – waste is here to stay. It’s a part of society and community life and there’s enough waste going around for anyone to start a sustainable business. You will not look back on your decision to become a sustainable breadwinner for your family!” — Isabella Daly

Isabella Daly started Basadi Africa Compliance Solutions Services (BACSS) in 2022 on a freelance basis, joining forces with fellow compliance auditor Khathu Rapea a year later. Together, these incredible businesswomen have built a successful compliance management company that services businesses of all sizes. BACSS makes legislation easier to understand and helps entrepreneurs fulfil their legal obligations for responsible waste management.

Isabella and Khathu spend most of their time conducting compliance audits for clients, visiting their workplaces and getting to know their teams. Workdays are long, but these inspiring women are up to the challenge. “It’s amazing working as a woman in the waste industry, I love it!” Isabella says, “Every site and business owner are different and offer valuable insights into best practices for the waste industry.”?

Earlier this year, the World Women's Leadership Congress recognised Khathu for her contributions to the Environmental Audit and Compliance industry in South Africa.

The BACSS team stresses the importance of understanding legislation from the get-go. “There are about 14 laws applicable to a waste management business,” Isabella reports. Getting SMMEs set up with business operations and compliance training from the start makes a world of difference down the line.?

Miricka Goosen

Operations Manager and Technician at Working Metals?

“Everything I do, I have taught myself – from technical work to bookwork to working under pressure. My advice to young women who want to build a career in the waste industry is this: don’t give up, learn something new every day, no matter how small, and look at all challenges as opportunities.”?

Miricka Goosen has been running Working Metals – an e-waste buy-back centre in East London, since 2014. When she started out, Miricka knew little about the industry, but she was determined to learn and has since built a successful career in the circular economy. “I knew I had found a profitable waste stream that was undeveloped in South Africa,” she recalls, “At first, I could only handle 4.8 tonnes of e-waste per year, now nearly 10 years later we are processing nothing less than 30,000 tonnes.”??

Working Metals has also touched the lives of hundreds of waste pickers. Miricka and her team teach local reclaimers how to clean and grade e-waste then buy it from them at a fair price to help them generate an income. When they receive used IT equipment in working condition, they donate or offer it to their waste picker network at a reduced price.?

For Miricka, the secret to circularity is education. “Information is very sparse on how to properly recycle waste,” she says. Working Metals encourages recycling by teaching the community about its financial benefits and how to sell it at a higher price. Miricka says proudly, “By sharing our knowledge on how to sell e-waste, we have had great success in getting more people involved in recycling.”

Charlotte Lamprecht

Founder and CEO of Henque Waste?

“It is not easy and it is not glamorous. You have to earn your keep. Commitment and passion are pivotal when you work in the recycling and waste industry. Don't chase money, chase the change and the preservation of our future.”?

Charlotte Lamprecht is a seasoned waste management professional who started her business way back in 2000. Today, Henque Waste has three successful branches along the Garden Route in the Western Cape. The company specialises in paper and packaging recycling and offers collection and buy-back services for paper, cardboard, tins, glass, and plastic. It also does POPIA-compliant document disposal and runs recycling awareness campaigns at schools and universities.?

Over the years, Charlotte has faced many challenges in her career but has overcome each hurdle with grace. “I believe you can’t succeed if you never try something or just give up on things before trying,” she shares. With over twenty years of experience, Charlotte still sticks to her winning business approach; “Strong and firm, but with a soft touch – respect is earned this way.”?

Through Henque Waste, Charlotte and her team have uplifted other entrepreneurs in the waste sector. They operate multiple buy-back centres in Garden Route and encourage SMMEs to drop off their recycling to earn extra income. Newcomers to the waste industry are more than welcome to reach out to Charlotte for lessons and advice.?

Support a Women-Owned Waste Business This August?

The individuals featured here are just some of the ambitious, business-minded women driving innovation in South Africa’s waste sector. eWASA currently works with 34 recycling companies that are women-owned or have a female CEO. To find one near you or to join our list of fearless female business members, please get in touch.