Women’s Recycling Alliance marks first year success

After one year, the Women’s Recycling Alliance (WRA) has grown substantially to include members from United Kingdom-based Viridor, Veolia and Yorwaste, as well as members from Ireland and Switzerland.

To celebrate the initiative's one-year milestone, more than 30 women professionals from recycling companies, manufacturers, the public sector, exporters and reprocessors gathered for a members’ event in Birmingham, England, featuring Veolia’s communications and education outreach manager Sheila Chauhan. There was also a professional development workshop tackling the imposter syndrome led by U.K. female coach Jules Wyman.

“It’s been an amazing year, and in 2020 we’re looking to evolve the membership and sponsorship side of the WRA in order to further grow our existing group, continue delivering insightful events and become the go-to networking hub for women throughout the industry,” says Sarah Sanpher-McDowell, development director at U.K.-based Clearpoint Recycling.

WRA is the brainchild of Sanpher-McDowell, who has more than seven years of experience in the recycling industry. The WRA aims to “empower woman who work in waste, provide a platform to discuss challenges in industry and develop their confidence and leadership skills,” according to a news release.

“I set up the WRA in June 2018 with the aim of connecting like-minded women throughout the waste and recycling industry,” Sanpher-McDowell says.

She adds, “It’s important to highlight that I, personally, have only ever had positive experiences working in the sector, but we can’t get away from the fact that there is a gender imbalance in this field. The WRA exists to make a positive change to the future of the industry by encouraging the development of the talent that already exists within it, establishing more relationships between businesses and hopefully inspiring other women into the sector.”

Personal and professional development is a key strand to the WRA’s ethos.

“We’re passionate about helping delegates to reach their potential both in and out of the workplace,” Sanpher-McDowell says. “This plays a part in empowering women to feel confident in their abilities.”