UK circular economy dominated by men - only one in four jobs go
to women.
More women in lowest paid roles – predominately second-hand
sales.
WRAP calls for action to address inequality in the circular
economy.
On Gender Equality Day
at COP28 – with the Guardian
reporting that only 15 out of the 133 world
leaders participating in this year’s COP28 are women (11%) –
climate action NGO WRAP points to disturbing data from the Office
of National Statistics showing that only one in four jobs in the
UK’s growing Circular Economy go to women. This situation is
unlike the wider UK economy where, since the 1990s, around half
of jobs are held by men and half by women.
Over the last decade, circular economy jobs* have been a success
story for UK Plc growing by 20% between 2014 and 2019 to 558,000
jobs. The sector has added to the economy as it helped tackle
environmental issues linked to consumption-based emissions by
reducing the use of virgin resources through initiatives around
repair or re-use. WRAP believes the sector has the potential to
double in size by 2030 and calls for policies to promote the
circular economy.
But analysis by WRAP shows that within the UK circular economy,
men dominate the workforce in key roles, and women hold only a
quarter of jobs – predominantly the lowest paid or voluntary
roles.
WRAP CEO Harriet Lamb, “The circular economy
is a growing alternative to old-fashioned economic thinking,
offering a positive vision of change and of the future. So,
imagine our shock to discover that the circular economy has its
own old-fashioned, backwards-looking prejudices! Women are hugely
under-represented in paid roles in the circular economy
and steps must be taken to encourage more girls and young
women into the sector, across the range of opportunities. We
urgently need to drive up the numbers and improve the roles women
get as we support the circular economy more widely.”
WRAP identified several causes for why women are underrepresented
in the circular economy and warns that without confronting
inequalities head on, nothing will change.
The organisation highlights key issues including employment
trends in the sector and misconceptions of the types of jobs and
skills required. It noted gender disparities in training in
science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) and issues
around jobs which affect women more than men, such as childcare.
Harriet Lamb, “The causes range from fewer
girls taking STEM subjects at college right through to practical
factors which put women off like work boots being only in larger
sizes! The gender disparity in the circular economy is broadly
similar to that in STEM. There are many successful examples
within the circular economy of initiatives run by pioneering
women, but these are rarities rather than being the norm
throughout the sector, which is largely unaware of the
disparities. That needs to change.”
The challenge is not unique to the circular economy, but WRAP
believes the sector could help change the situation today. The
organisation wants to start a conversation about how the circular
economy can become more inclusive and wants to see positive
actions promoted by UK businesses and in education to open more
opportunities to women within the circular economy.
In practical terms, WRAP advises
businesses to consider the make-up of its workforce and
the roles that employees are in, and how diverse and inclusive
they are. It encourages businesses to consider recruitment,
skills development, and training opportunities to ensure all
prospective applicants can engage, while also urging Government
and businesses to throw their weight behind promoting the sector.
Ends
Notes to editor
- *WRAP’s assessment looked at jobs primarily related to reuse,
repair, recycling, and resale covering the full range of skills
across an organisation - from repairing clothes, furniture or
electricals through to marketing and IT, managing volunteers and
customers, or creating new designs for products so they are
circular from the start.
-
Is the Circular
Economy Prejudiced?
- Data is not available to explore other important issues
of inclusivity in the sector, such as age, disability, and
race. WRAP recognise that gender is more than male or female
and includes non-binary, gender-fluid, gender non-conforming,
and other groups. The report focusses on male and female as
the only groups for which data is available. WRAP’s
evaluation is based on data produced by the Office of
National Statistics.
- WRAP assessment of ONS data includes jobs within
recycling, repair and reuse and rental and leasing.
