# The Story of Amiyna Understanding the role of identity in the plastic economy ## Why does gender matter in the plastic economy? Gender equity is essential for transforming the plastic industry into a sustainable sector that benefits both people and the planet. Women are pivotal in plastic consumption, entrepreneurship, resource management, and waste disposal, highlighting the need to prioritize their livelihoods in solutions. Women make up 70-80% of consumer purchasing decisions worldwide, including those related to household plastics, highlighting their influence in driving demand for sustainable products. Gender-sensitive strategies for policy-makers and business leaders in the plastics value chain naturally compliment efforts to transition to a more sustainable and circular plastics economy. [Read the Full Guiding Document](https://www.globalplasticaction.org/case-study-details/guide-to-ensure-gender-responsive-action-in-eliminating-plastic-pollution-guidance-document/aJY680000008OMWGA2) ## Catalog *Browse catalog items* ## However, there are significant risks to consider... ## Frequently Asked Questions *Common questions and answers* ## What are some additional gender related challenges that need to be addressed in the plastic economy? ### Negative gendered health impacts Women and men from marginalized communities face significant health risks, as they experience higher levels of toxic chemical exposure in the plastics economy. ### Limited or non-existent gender-inclusive waste management policies Waste management policies often fail to address the specific needs and contributions of women, leading to inequitable practices. ### Occupational segregation Women are frequently relegated to lower-paid, less secure positions in both informal and formal waste management sectors, the latter of which favours men. ### Lack of diversity in research and design teams Research and design solutions often lack diversity and fail to adequately address the needs of women. ### Gender differences in consumer behaviour and unpaid labour Women’s significant role in household waste management and consumer behavior related to plastics are often overlooked and unsupported. ## Women represent about 1/3 of employees in the plastics industry. Source: Plastics Today. (2021). Bringing More Women into the Plastics Industry Makes Sense on So Many Levels. ## Gender Disparity and Occupational Segregation In Amiyna’s neighborhood, men are employed at a government-run recycling plant, benefiting from stable wages, health insurance, and proper safety measures. Meanwhile, women like Amiyna and her family have always been confined to informal, precarious work, juggling unpaid domestic duties with waste picking. This disparity reflects the societal norms that prioritize men’s access to secure employment while leaving women to shoulder the double burden of care work and hazardous labor, all without recognition or protection. Formal jobs exist, but Amiyna has never considered applying due to perception that “dirty” or physically demanding jobs are reserved for men. The inflexible hours of formal jobs would prevent Amiyna from fulfilling the unpaid domestic duties expected of her. She has also only seen men in these roles, and both she and her family worry about harassment in all-male work environment as well as practical issues like the lack of women’s facilities. Unlike men working in formal recycling plants with protective clothing, Amiyna is more exposed to toxic fumes. As an informal worker, she does not have access to protective gear that could shield from the plastic fumes. Even in formal settings, safety regulations are based on male physiology and would fail to adequately protect her. Plastic pollution and exposure impact women’s and men’s health differently due to gender roles and women’s higher body fat content, which makes them more vulnerable to harmful chemicals. Women often work in lower-paid, less-skilled positions in production plants, increasing their exposure to toxic chemicals.Additionally, the informal economy, of which many women are employed, lack national occupational health and safely protection and social protection benefit. ## Burning plastic waste releases toxic chemicals like dioxins, furans, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which can cause respiratory illnesses, cancer, and hormonal disruptions. Approximately 12% of global plastic waste is burned, disproportionately exposing marginalized communities to these health risks. Source: UNEP ## Potential solutions to the health hazards of plastic waste ## Frequently Asked Questions *Common questions and answers* ## Menstrual Health and Product Design Inequities At 13, Amiyna got her first period, but her family couldn't afford sanitary products, forcing her to use unsafe materials like rags and sawdust.No one has ever talked to her about menstruation, and she feels uncomfortable discussing it within her community as it is deemed a taboo subject. Although the government provides disposable menstrual products, Amiyna doesn't receive them because she neither attends school nor works in a formal setting.Amiyna’s small community is often overlooked in such governmental planning processes. Some community members believe their exclusion is due to their status as an ethnic minority group that lacks respect and representation from the majority population and government. ## In many countries, the majority of young women lack knowledge about menstruation and cannot access sanitary products. Disposable products are often inaccessible, and the use of reusable options like silicone cups is hindered by high costs and cultural taboos.Diverse teams that genuinely understand the needs of menstruators are crucial for effective sanitary product design. However, these voices are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and technical roles. Additionally, market research frequently fails to include marginalized communities, leaving their needs overlooked in product research and design. ## 500 million lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management. Source: World Bank. (2022) ## Potential solutions to sanitary related plastic waste ## Frequently Asked Questions *Common questions and answers* ## The Double Burden: Unpaid Labour and Environmental Impact Women’s unpaid domestic labor often includes managing household waste, such as sorting and disposing of plastics, without adequate support or recognition. This reliance on single-use plastics to save time exacerbates plastic pollution, linking gender inequality to environmental challenges. As an adult with with a family of her own, Amiyna juggles multiple roles. In addition to her work in waste collection and sorting, she handles all household duties (shopping, cooking and cleaning) while caring for her children, husband and parents-in-law, following the traditions of her community. Much of womens’ informal economy work is unpaid family labour, which limits their availability for formal sector work. Tasks such as cooking, cleaning, childcare and eldercare consume a substantial amount of their time and do not provide financial compensation.Women tend to make the majority of household purchasing decisions, positioning them as key targets for sustainable products. However, the same responsibilities that grant them purchasing power also restrict their time, compelling them to opt for more convenient (yet potentially harmful) products. This can also affect how they dispose of waste, often leading to improper disposal practices that exacerbate environmental issues. ## Potential solutions to mitigate the impacts of unpaid labor ## Frequently Asked Questions *Common questions and answers* ## Income Security In Old-Age In old age, Amiyna has no pension as she was never in the formal economy and will now need to rely on the formal wage earners in her extended family and community for economic security, making her more vulnerable to old-age poverty Women working in the informal plastics economy or part-time due to caregiving responsibilities often miss out on benefits such as pensions. Government budgets are typically based on formal, paid labour market data and census surveys, which exclude the unpaid economy. As a result, unpaid labour – such as caregiving, cleaning and domestic food production – is undervalued and overlooked, despite being as valuable as the paid economy.This oversight perpetuates economic disparities and social inequality, as women are disproportionately impacted by the lack of recognition and compensation for their contributions. Without access to pensions and other social benefits, these women face greater financial insecurity in their later years. ## Women typically live 2.5 years longer than men from age 65 onwards.Women across the globe have 30-40% less money in retirement than men. Source: Lane, S. (2018). The scary facts behind the gender pay gap. World Economic Forum. ## Potential solutions to support an aging workforce ## Frequently Asked Questions *Common questions and answers* ## Worst Case Scenario Amiyna represents the many women who are deprived of formal employment, safe working conditions, access to menstrual products, recreational freedom and financial stability due to all of these barriers. By disempowering women, these constraints also harm society and the economy. Women represent a significant untapped workforce, and their exclusion from the formal economy hinders economic growth and development. If these barriers remain, the formal economy will continue to miss out on development opportunities. ## This economic strain is not to be understated – older women who have never formally worked and lack financial resources become a burden on the state. Therefore, including women in the formal workforce is beneficial for the economy. Providing mechanisms for women to support themselves and their families breaks the cycle of poverty, reducing the economic pressure on the state to care for impoverished women.Furthermore, a study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) found that as economic development increases, unpaid work (which is mostly performed by women) declines. If women continue to be excluded from formal work, this potential economic success will not be realized.Source: International Monetary Fund. (2019). Reducing and Redistributing Unpaid Work: Stronger Policies to Support Gender Equality.) ## Conclusion The current state of the plastics industry poses significant risks to both environmental health and the well-being of women, necessitating immediate change. Fortunately, the solutions presented here are both actionable and practical.Transitioning to a circular plastics economy could transform the lives of women globally by providing formal employment, safety and economic prosperity. This shift has the potential to trigger a positive feedback loop of social mobility, increasing women's representation in leadership roles and amplifying their voices in sustainability efforts. Women’s involvement at the forefront of these efforts can drive profound environmental change. Read the full Guide to Ensure Gender-Responsive Action in Eliminating Plastic Pollution report below. [Read the report](https://www.globalplasticaction.org/case-study-details/guide-to-ensure-gender-responsive-action-in-eliminating-plastic-pollution-guidance-document/aJY680000008OMWGA2) ## Frequently Asked Questions *Common questions and answers* ## Cross-Sector Support *Partner organizations and sponsors*