Her work spans the creation of nationally and regionally recognised sustainability organisations, including the Emirates Environmental Group, the Arabia CSR Network and the Emirates Green Building Council. These initiatives have contributed to embedding environmental management systems, corporate responsibility frameworks and sustainable construction standards into mainstream practice. International recognition through engagement with United Nations environmental bodies has further reinforced the importance of linking local action with global sustainability goals. 

Beyond institutional achievements, she views the most meaningful impact as behavioural transformation — witnessing communities, corporations and young people shift from awareness to measurable action.  

On the subject of women’s contributions to the circular economy, Al Mar’ashi emphasizes that women often approach sustainability as a systemic transformation rather than a narrow technical intervention. She believes women bring a holistic lens that connects environmental stewardship with social equity, economic resilience and intergenerational responsibility. This perspective is particularly relevant in circular systems, where long-term value creation depends on collaboration, community engagement, and responsible resource use. 

Across sectors, women are increasingly leading circular business models that prioritize reuse, repair, responsible consumption and community-based resource management. Their strength often lies in bridging formal industry with grassroots' engagement — ensuring that circular solutions are practical, inclusive and culturally embedded. She also highlights that innovation in the circular economy is not limited to technology; it includes redefining value systems, fostering partnerships, and embedding ethics into economic transformation. In this context, women are helping shift circularity from being a waste-management strategy to a broader societal model rooted in care, accountability and shared prosperity. 

However, significant challenges remain particularly for women operating within recycling value chains at the grassroots level. Informality continues to expose many women to unstable incomes, lack of legal recognition and limited access to financial services. Occupational health and safety risks persist, especially in waste sorting and processing environments where protective infrastructure and gender-sensitive policies are often insufficient. 

Social stigma and cultural barriers further restrict mobility, leadership opportunities and participation in decision-making. Limited access to technology, training and digital tools prevents many women from advancing beyond operational roles into management or entrepreneurial positions. Critically, women at the grassroots are rarely included in policy dialogues, despite their practical knowledge of material flows and community behaviours. 

Regarding sector inclusivity, Al Mar’ashi believes progress is underway but uneven. Growing ESG accountability and circular economy policies have expanded opportunities for women as leaders and innovators. Yet true inclusion requires structural reform — ensuring women are not only present within systems, but empowered to shape them. 

She concludes that empowering women in recycling and circular value chains is not simply a social objective; it is a strategic necessity. When women are supported through formal recognition, safer working conditions, financial inclusion and leadership pathways, the entire circular economy becomes more resilient, efficient and equitable. 

Throughout her career, Tawil has prioritized building collaborative ecosystems that connect local entrepreneurs, industry stakeholders and environmental experts to optimize resources and embed circularity into operational models. An early defining moment came when she supported a war-affected community in rebuilding its town with sustainability principles integrated into daily life, an experience that cemented her view that environmental solutions must ultimately serve people.  

Tawil views women as natural architects of the circular economy. Because circular systems require systems-thinking by integrating waste, water, energy and behavioural dimensions, she believes many women bring a holistic and collaborative approach to innovation. Women leaders often prioritise inclusive, community-centred models that ensure ecological transformation does not exclude grassroots actors or vulnerable groups. 

Historically operating with limited access to capital, many women entrepreneurs have developed resource-efficient, necessity-driven business models that align strongly with circular principles. This mindset treats every resource as valuable and encourages long-term, regenerative thinking focused on lifecycle impact and community wellbeing rather than short-term gains. Despite these strengths, women remain underrepresented in technical leadership and high-level decision-making, limiting the sector’s full innovative potential. 

Operational barriers persist across recycling value chains. Infrastructure and equipment have traditionally been designed without considering workforce diversity, creating safety and productivity constraints. Access to finance, fragmented supply chains and limited exposure to advanced technical training further restrict women’s advancement, particularly at grassroots levels. Addressing these gaps, Tawil argues, is not only a matter of fairness but a strategic imperative to unlock untapped capacity within the circular economy. 

She believes the sector is evolving. Inclusion is increasingly recognised as a driver of performance and resilience. Given the complexity of ecological transformation, diverse perspectives are essential and the circular economy cannot reach its full potential while drawing from only half the available talent pool. 

Over the past three decades, Crown Industries has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner in Bahrain’s environmental landscape, and Radhi has played a central role in reinforcing that legacy. The company collaborates closely with government entities, schools and civil societies to collect plastic waste from ministries, public parks and educational institutions. Among its most meaningful initiatives is an agreement to donate proceeds from collected plastics to the Disabled Society, enabling the purchase of wheelchairs. This initiative has created a tangible connection between recycling and social impact, allowing community members to see how their everyday environmental actions directly improve lives. 

Radhi also leads the company’s social awareness campaigns, organising workshops in schools and universities and welcoming students to the factory to observe the recycling process firsthand. By making recycling visible and relatable, she helps bridge the gap between environmental theory and practical action. 

She believes women contribute uniquely to innovation in the circular economy through empathy, creativity and a strong community-centred mindset. Their ability to engage diverse groups and inspire behavioural change has been instrumental in advancing grassroots recycling initiatives and awareness campaigns that integrate environmental and social objectives. 

However, women operating within recycling value chains, particularly at the grassroots level, continue to face challenges. Limited access to specialised training, financial resources and formal recognition can restrict growth. Cultural barriers and concerns around workplace safety further complicate participation in some contexts. Addressing these obstacles requires institutional support, inclusive workplace policies and expanded skill-development opportunities. 

Radhi acknowledges that the sector is gradually becoming more inclusive, with women increasingly visible in leadership and community-facing roles. Yet, she emphasises that inclusivity remains an ongoing journey. Sustained mentorship, equitable access to opportunities and consistent recognition of women’s contributions at every level of the value chain are essential to achieving lasting and meaningful change. 

When it comes to innovation in the circular economy, Joelle emphasizes the importance of skills, perspective, and collaboration over gender. “What matters most is the value people bring through their expertise, ideas, and ability to collaborate,” she notes. However, she observes that many women leaders in the sector often bring a unique combination of collaboration and long-term thinking. These qualities are particularly valuable in the circular economy, where solutions must connect industries, communities, and policies to achieve meaningful, sustainable impact. 

Operationally, women in recycling value chains, especially at the grassroots and technical levels, face certain challenges. Waste management remains a highly technical and operationally intensive sector, historically dominated by men in field and technical roles, including in the Middle East. Nevertheless, this dynamic is shifting as companies increasingly recognize the importance of diverse teams and prioritize skills and capability over gender. As more women enter technical and operational positions, they not only contribute directly to the sector’s efficiency and innovation but also help reshape perceptions, inspiring others to pursue similar roles. 

Joelle is optimistic about the sector’s trajectory toward inclusion. She highlights the UAE’s leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion across industries, creating an environment where talent is acknowledged based on capability and contribution. In recycling and sustainability, the growing presence of women in leadership, technical, and strategic positions signals a positive transformation for the industry. According to her, inclusive teams foster better decision-making, stronger collaboration, and more innovative approaches to tackling the complex challenges of waste management and circular solutions. 

Bhavana believes that the industry chose her when her career journey in recycling began through PET scrap trading. However, regulatory changes led to an abrupt import ban, and she faced a turning point, choosing to pivot into metal scrap — a decision that reshaped her career.  

Navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry has shaped her resilience and leadership. While the journey came with its share of challenges and doubts, those experiences strengthened her resolve and sharpened her vision. 

Over the years, she has come to see sustainability as more than material recycling — it is equally about building industries that are inclusive, progressive, and accessible to all. 

Her passion extends beyond metal recycling to championing greater representation of women in the sector. She believes that when an industry becomes more inclusive, it doesn’t just grow — it becomes stronger and more future-ready. 

In 2025, she was named among the Global Top 100 inspiring people in the recycling industry by Recycling International Magazine, a recognition she views as validation of the work being done from India on a global platform. Beyond business, her contribution extends to advocacy, where she works to enhance leadership opportunities and visibility for women, believing that true sustainability must include building inclusive industry ecosystems. She believes women are contributing to innovation in the circular economy not only through operations and technology but by reshaping leadership, governance, and long-term thinking. With women leading global recycling bodies such as ReMA and BIR, and many more working across the value chain as collectors, segregators, entrepreneurs, plant operators, traders, policymakers, and engineers, the shift is visible. When women lead at organizational levels, they influence governance structures, stakeholder engagement, and the cultural norms that define sustainable growth. She sees the circular economy not just as a technical transition but as a leadership transition.  

At the same time, she acknowledges that women at operational and grassroots levels often face structural challenges — limited access to networks, reduced participation in decision-making, and infrastructure not designed with them in mind — despite playing a critical role in collection, segregation, and material recovery. While their contributions are sometimes under-recognized, she believes the sector is at an important turning point, with more women stepping into strategic and board-level roles and building pathways for others.  

She firmly believes the industry is becoming more inclusive, with associations such as ReMA, BIR, MRAI, and Women in Recycling creating platforms for dialogue, mentorship, and visibility, though she maintains that inclusion is not just about representation but about influence — being part of decision-making, capital allocation, and strategic direction. For her, recycling is an industry built on renewal and reinvention, and while progress is real, sustained effort will determine how inclusive it ultimately becomes. 

Her journey into the circular economy space stems from a clear aspiration: to create tangible, measurable impact. She believes that collective action—across governments, industry, and communities—is the most powerful lever to accelerate the transition toward a sustainable future. Under her leadership, the Council has championed initiatives at both national and international levels, positioning circularity as a strategic imperative rather than a peripheral concern. 

Over the years, Shalini has spearheaded pioneering programmes that bridge policy, industry, and grassroots engagement. Her work in advancing Net Zero pathways has earned her recognition from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She has also been honoured by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, underscoring the global relevance of her contributions. These milestones have further strengthened her conviction in the transformative potential of circularity and the importance of inclusive leadership. 

As an advocate for women’s leadership in sustainability, Shalini highlights the unique perspectives that women bring to the sector. She believes their strength in community-building and grassroots mobilisation is instrumental in scaling sustainable solutions. At the same time, she acknowledges the operational challenges many women face—limited access to resources, recognition, and decision-making roles—and emphasises the need to dismantle these barriers to unlock their full potential. 

While the circular economy sector is gradually becoming more inclusive, Shalini maintains that sustained effort is required to ensure equal representation and opportunity at all levels.  

Among all the milestones, she is most proud of the E-waste Academy she established under the umbrella of the StEP Initiative at the United Nations University. Many of the young researchers and early-career professionals who participated in those pioneering academies are today leading academics and practitioners in the sector — a ripple effect she finds deeply rewarding. Equally significant is the creation of E[co]work, a first-of-its-kind co-working space designed to integrate informal sector workers into the mainstream recycling economy. Beyond its symbolic importance, E[co]work provides her with direct, on-the-ground insight into real-world challenges and practical solutions around infrastructure, skills development, material flows, and financing — granular operational knowledge that is largely absent from the public domain. 

In recent years, more women have been entering the circular economy as professionals, increasingly by choice. The stigma that once surrounded the sector has receded, and she believes this is an industry that benefits from compassion and long-term thinking over short-term gains — qualities women often bring intuitively. Today, women are present across research and operations, finance and logistics, marketing and communications, as well as in the essential, often unglamorous work of collecting, sorting, and recycling — labour that is gradually becoming more formalised and recognised. What often goes unacknowledged, however, is that women are already at the front lines of the circular economy as household managers, making everyday decisions that prevent waste at source. Their contributions are extensive and multi-layered, even if not always visible or celebrated. 

Operationally, the waste industry is challenging for anyone, but even more so for women. The ecosystem remains predominantly male, often leading to friction with vendors, clients, and counterparts who may be uncomfortable engaging with women in leadership roles. The work is physically demanding, and much of the business takes place at odd hours and in remote locations, creating additional barriers around safety, mobility, and domestic responsibilities. Yet when provided with proper training and genuine support, women prove to be exceptionally effective operators. The issue has never been capability — it is access. 

On inclusivity, she maintains that the conversation must extend beyond gender to making the sector accessible and equitable for all, regardless of background. By that measure, there is still considerable ground to cover. The industry remains heavily male-dominated, reflected even in conference circuits where panels are often filled with men who may articulate the right messages publicly without consistently translating them into practice. Inclusion, she observes, is not advancing by deliberate design but more organically, as the sector’s growing opportunities gradually attract a more diverse mix of participants. It is progress — but incidental rather than intentional, and that distinction matters. 

What excites her most is that no two days are the same — from closing deals and understanding alloy compositions to navigating operational challenges and shaping market strategy. Over the next five to ten years, she aims to scale the business into one of India’s largest scrap recycling companies, take on leadership roles within industry bodies such as MRAI, and actively promote greater participation of women in recycling. For her, the work is not just about business, but about helping build a more structured, inclusive, and sustainable future for the sector. 

A defining turning point in her journey was moving from observation to ownership. Determined to contribute meaningfully rather than simply inherit responsibility, she onboarded new suppliers and began actively participating in sales, negotiating and closing deals independently — the first time she felt she was adding value beyond being “the next generation.” She also introduced more structured communication and strengthened the company’s professional presence, including building VK METCAST’s visibility on LinkedIn. In an industry still driven by traditional networks, she recognizes that digital positioning is becoming increasingly important. 

Beyond the company, representing the industry has been equally significant. She spoke on the first all-women panel, “Women in Recycling: Catalysts of Change,” at MRAI’s IMRC’26 — an important moment in a traditionally male-dominated sector. She also represented the Material Recycling Association of India at “Happy Street” in Gurgaon, promoting plastic reduction, responsible consumption, and community awareness around circularity. For her, contribution is not only about scale but also about direction, and she sees herself as part of a generation bringing structure, visibility, and inclusion into an industry critical to India’s sustainable growth. 

At the grassroots level, women play a vital role in segregation, sorting, and primary recovery, where attention to detail directly affects material quality, contamination control, and recovery efficiency. In recycling, precision determines value, making this contribution by women both critical and often underestimated. At the leadership level, they are introducing systems thinking into what has traditionally been a transaction-driven industry, expanding conversations around supply chain ethics, worker welfare, environmental compliance, and long-term sustainability. As more women enter the sector, processes are becoming more formalized, documentation stronger, digital platforms better utilized, and transparency greater — driving structural innovation.  

At the same time, she notes that the biggest challenges women face in recycling are structural rather than capability-based. Much of grassroots waste collection still operates informally, leaving many women without stable wages, social security, health safeguards, or formal recognition despite their contributions. Infrastructure gaps — including sanitation facilities and safety gear suited for women — also affect participation and retention. In heavy metal recycling, technical and commercial negotiations remain largely male-dominated, and women in operational roles often have to establish credibility repeatedly before being taken seriously. 

She believes the sector is gradually becoming more inclusive, though progress remains uneven. Leadership visibility is improving, with more women participating in industry forums, panels, and trade bodies, particularly as sustainability and ESG conversations create space for diverse leadership. However, inclusion at the ground level is evolving more slowly. True inclusion, she believes, will come when women are no longer seen as exceptions but as equal stakeholders. 

Her journey into sustainability began as an inner calling rather than a career decision. From a young age, she felt a deep sensitivity toward nature and an awareness of how human choices shape environmental outcomes, which gradually evolved into a commitment to live and work responsibly. Choosing Green Behaviour for her doctoral research was not just academic but purposeful—aimed at understanding how human consciousness influences environmental outcomes and how small shifts in awareness can drive change. Guided by the philosophy of Ikigai—aligning personal strengths with what the world needs—and reinforced by spiritual grounding, she believes humanity must reciprocate the care that Mother Earth gives. The value of service instilled by her mentor continues to guide her, supported by a family that shares her larger mission of purpose and giving back.   

Over the years, she has contributed across strategy, implementation, research, and global policy forums. A defining phase of her career has been leading the ESG transformation and multi-year “True North” strategy at Welspun Enterprises, moving sustainability beyond reporting into operational reality. The initiative aligned frameworks such as BRSR, GRI, ISSB, and climate disclosures with infrastructure projects, including roads, water treatment plants, and supply chains.   

She has also represented India at United Nations platforms, including UNEA, Stockholm+50, COP15 in Montreal, and the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York. Serving as a UNEP Global Environmental Outlook Reviewer and contributing through research and patents, such as the “Oxysphere” carbon-zero dome concept, has enabled her to bridge science and practice. While her recognitions like the “Outstanding Women in Global Sustainable Development” award at UNCSW 68 in New York are encouraging, she sees the real turning points in quieter shifts—when sustainability moves from compliance to a value driver and when engineers and supply chain teams begin integrating ESG into everyday decisions. 

She believes women bring distinctive strengths to circular economy innovation. Traditionally, by managing household resources—budgeting, water use, food utilisation, material reuse, and long-term planning—women often prioritise stability and risk mitigation over short-term gains, aligning closely with circular economy principles of optimisation, preservation, and regeneration. In leadership roles, this translates into long-term thinking, resource sensitivity, strong stakeholder engagement, and integration of environmental and social considerations alongside technical solutions. Research also shows that organisations with greater gender diversity on boards demonstrate stronger environmental disclosure and governance performance.  

Her on-ground work has highlighted challenges women face in recycling value chains. In village-level plastic waste management initiatives, women engaged in segregation and collection form the backbone of the system, but often work in vulnerable conditions. Similar insights emerged through the World Toilet College initiative, where women sanitation workers play a critical yet often invisible role in hygiene, waste handling, and behavioural change. Safety remains a concern, as many work without adequate protective equipment, proper sorting spaces, or sanitation facilities.  

Their access to aggregators, digital payments, mechanised tools, and working capital is limited, and pathways to enterprise ownership remain rare. Social stigma around waste and sanitation work further reduces recognition and representation in decision-making forums. Addressing these gaps requires formalisation pathways, financial inclusion, safety standards, skill development, and opportunities for women to transition from informal labour into recognised professionals and entrepreneurs within circular systems.  

She believes the sector is gradually becoming more inclusive, though progress varies across organisations and geographies. At Welspun Enterprises, improving diversity ratios, enabling women in strategic and operational roles, and promoting inclusive practices have created tangible change. Across the sustainability ecosystem, more women are entering ESG leadership, governance forums, and climate-focused roles, supported by regulatory frameworks such as Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting that encourage diversity disclosure. However, sectors such as heavy infrastructure, waste management, and industrial value chains remain male-dominated, and expanding inclusion at project sites and technical leadership levels will require continued effort through safer site infrastructure, mentorship, skill development, and pathways for women-led functions and enterprises. 

Her on-ground work has highlighted challenges women face in recycling value chains. In village-level plastic waste management initiatives, women engaged in segregation and collection form the backbone of the system, but often work in vulnerable conditions. Similar insights emerged through the World Toilet College initiative, where women sanitation workers play a critical yet often invisible role in hygiene, waste handling, and behavioural change. Safety remains a concern, as many work without adequate protective equipment, proper sorting spaces, or sanitation facilities.  

Access to aggregators, digital payments, mechanised tools, and working capital is limited, and pathways to enterprise ownership remain rare. Social stigma around waste and sanitation work further reduces recognition and representation in decision-making forums. Addressing these gaps requires formalisation pathways, financial inclusion, safety standards, skill development, and opportunities for women to transition from informal labour into recognised professionals and entrepreneurs within circular systems.  

She believes the sector is gradually becoming more inclusive, though progress varies across organisations and geographies. At Welspun Enterprises, improving diversity ratios, enabling women in strategic and operational roles, and promoting inclusive practices have created tangible change. Across the sustainability ecosystem, more women are entering ESG leadership, governance forums, and climate-focused roles, supported by regulatory frameworks such as Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting that encourage diversity disclosure. However, sectors such as heavy infrastructure, waste management, and industrial value chains remain male-dominated, and expanding inclusion at project sites and technical leadership levels will require continued effort through safer site infrastructure, mentorship, skill development, and pathways for women-led functions and enterprises.