Women in Circularity: Stories of Resilience and Pride
By: The Plastic Flamingo — Juliette Dastre-Vigne
Beiersdorf: A Key support for Inclusion and Sustainability
Beiersdorf’s “CARE BEYOND SKIN” Sustainability Agenda reflects a strong commitment to creating positive environmental and social impact. Through their “Women in Circularity” program, Beiersdorf not only drives the global transition toward a circular economy but also empowers women whose work is vital to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Launched in 2023, “Women in Circularity” aims to expand recycling infrastructure and uplift female waste workers in emerging economies. By combining social inclusion with environmental action, the program transforms plastic waste into valuable resources, while transforming lives. Across eight partner organizations in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, including The Plastic Flamingo in the Philippines, women gain access to safer working conditions, training, healthcare, and new income opportunities.
Together, Beiersdorf and The Plastic Flamingo are proving that sustainability and social equity go hand in hand, turning waste into opportunity and empowering women to become key actors of change within their communities.
Empowering Women Through Circularity
At the core of Beiersdorf’s “Women in Circularity” program lies a simple but powerful goal: to provide women with the tools, opportunities, and confidence to build better futures for themselves and their communities.
Through the support of this program, The Plastic Flamingo (The PLAF) continues to empower women in the waste management sector by offering stable employment, technical training, and leadership opportunities. These initiatives enable women to gain not only financial independence but also greater confidence and a stronger sense of pride in their work.
Training sessions on safety, production processes, and personal development have helped women strengthen both professional and life skills. Complementary programs such as health allowances, extended maternity leave, and scholarships for their children, further reinforce The PLAF’s holistic approach to women’s empowerment, ensuring that every member feels supported at work and beyond.
“Isa po sa mga natutunan ko po ay yung pangangalaga sa sarili, lalo na pagdating sa pagpapaganda at kalusugan. Sa ngayon, ako rin ay natututong mag-ipon ng pera para meron akong sapat na pondo para sa aking gastusin sa sarili at sa aking pamilya.” (“One of the things I've learned is self-care, especially when it comes to beauty and health. Right now, I am also learning how to save money so that I have enough funds to spend for myself and my family”). - Rosemarie Culambo and her thoughts on: Empowering Women Training
Beyond the Workplace: Social Well-being Initiatives Supported by Beiersdorf
At The Plastic Flamingo, empowerment extends far beyond the factory walls. With Beiersdorf’s support, the “Women in Circularity and COVID Prevention Program” invests not only in safer working conditions but also in the personal and family well-being of the women who make up The PLAF community.
Supporting Education Through Child Scholarships
Recognizing that women’s empowerment begins with family stability, The PLAF launched a “Child Scholarship Program” for the children of its women employees. Each child receives a monthly financial allowance, helping cover school-related expenses and ensuring continued access to education. This initiative relieves financial pressure on mothers and gives them peace of mind, knowing their children’s future is supported.
Promoting Health and Safety Through Vaccination and HMO Coverage
Health remains a cornerstone of The PLAF’s approach to well-being. Through Beiersdorf’s support, employees benefit from a comprehensive health allowance and “Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)” plan, giving them access to quality medical care and a wider network of healthcare providers. In addition, The PLAF has implemented a vaccination program, ensuring protection against COVID-19 and other preventable diseases such as influenza, Tdap, and Hepatitis B. These initiatives safeguard not only the workers themselves but also their families and communities.
Extended Maternity Leave and Family Support
The PLAF goes beyond the mandated minimum by providing an extended maternity leave of 150 days, compared to the 105 days required by law. This measure reflects a genuine commitment to supporting women through one of the most important transitions in their lives, allowing them the time and security they need to care for their newborns without financial worry.
Continuous Learning and Empowerment
Regular training / seminars remain an integral part to the PLAF's mission of sustainable empowerment. Women regularly participate in capacity-building workshops on workplace safety, new production techniques, and personal development. Additional sessions on women’s empowerment and COVID-19 prevention ensure that every member is equipped with the knowledge and confidence to grow professionally and personally.
“The “Women in Circularity” program empowers Filipina women working at The Plastic Flamingo (PLAF) by providing sustainable livelihoods and multi-faceted support, including confidence-building and skill development. This way, they are able to contribute to household income and afford education for their children. Many of them take pride in their role that also benefits the environment and their communities. It’s more than employment, it’s a movement fostering empowerment and positive community impact” Krisha Rubia, Senior Partnership and Operations manager at The Plaf.
By investing in these social well-being initiatives, Beiersdorf and The Plastic Flamingo demonstrate that sustainability is not only about protecting the planet, it’s about caring for people. These actions nurture resilience, dignity, and opportunity, helping women thrive both at work and at home.
A Story of Resilience and Pride: Edna’s Journey
Behind every recycled plank or eco-product at The Plastic Flamingo lies a story of strength, perseverance, and hope. Through Beiersdorf’s “Women in Circularity” program, women who once faced limited opportunities are now building not only sustainable materials but also new paths for themselves and their families.
At The PLAF, many women have learned to operate complex machinery, manage production lines, and lead their teams, skills that once felt far beyond reach. Through training, teamwork, and mutual encouragement, they have gained confidence in their abilities and pride in their contribution to both their community and the environment. Each product made from recycled plastic carries their mark, a tangible symbol of resilience and restored dignity.
For Edna Clemente, a 47-year-old single mother from Laguna, life was once a daily struggle to balance work and family. Before joining The Plastic Flamingo, she spent long days in a small factory, her hands worn from repetitive tasks and her nights filled with worry about how to make ends meet.
Everything changed when she found The PLAF. What began as just another job soon became a second chance : a place where she found stability, community, and pride.
“Even if I get tired, as long as my co-workers and I are happy, it’s fine”
She says with a smile. Her dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. Over time, she was promoted to Team Leader, something she never imagined possible at her age.
“I’m very grateful, because even at 47, I was made a regular employee and given responsibility. Here, I realized I am still capable.”
Today, Edna leads by example, proof that resilience knows no age or circumstance. Her journey embodies the spirit of The Plastic Flamingo and the purpose of Beiersdorf’s Women in Circularity program: transforming what others might discard into something valuable, sustainable, and full of meaning.
Within The PLAF community, women like Edna show that circularity is not only about materials : it is about people. It is about giving women the opportunity to rebuild their confidence, reclaim their dignity, and take pride in the work that shapes a better, more inclusive future.
Innovation and Empowerment: Building a Stronger Circular Future
Thanks to Beiersdorf’s continued support, The Plastic Flamingo has been able to strengthen its production capacity and empower more women through hands-on technical training. The installation of new machinery including a Washing Line to clean and prepare plastic waste, a Pelletizing Line that transforms shredded plastics into consistent recycled granules, a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine for precise cutting, a Shredding Machine that allows for greater waste processing, and a Forklift to efficiently handle materials, has been a turning point for our operations.
These tools have not only expanded our recycling capabilities and increased the production of eco-chairs and planks, but have also opened doors for women to learn new technical skills and take leadership roles in production and maintenance. With each new machine, The PLAF community continues to innovate, recycle more efficiently, and create more sustainable products, proof that technology and empowerment can go hand in hand in building a truly circular future.
The Plastic Flamingo extends its heartfelt gratitude to Beiersdorf for its unwavering support. Through the Women in Circularity programs, Beiersdorf has helped transform not only plastic waste but also the lives of women who turn challenges into opportunities every day. Together, we continue to build a circular, inclusive, and sustainable future, one shaped by resilience, collaboration, and hope.