At ERA NPC, we believe that the future of technology isn’t just about what we build—it’s about what we recover. As we approach International Women’s Day, we sat down with our very own Bronte Moeti, Compliance and Research Officer, to discuss why the e-waste sector is no longer just “a man’s world.”
Shattering the “Tech is for Boys” Myth
There is a persistent misconception that e-waste and tech circularity are spaces where women don’t belong. Bronte is quick to shut that down.
“It is a space for women. It always has been,” she insists. While the sector remains male-dominated on the surface, Bronte highlights that women are the ones currently shaping strategy in boardrooms, driving legislative change, and leading grassroots impact. The “hard hat” image of waste management is evolving into a sophisticated landscape of design, policy, and sustainability—all areas where women are excelling.
The Power of Taking Things Apart
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Bronte’s answer is as practical as it is profound. If she could hand a refurbished laptop to a younger Bronte, the desktop would hold just one file: How to Dismantle Safely.
“Understanding how something comes apart is just as powerful as knowing how it works. Sometimes the real lessons live beneath the surface, in the components and the design choices we don’t usually see.”
This philosophy defines her approach at ERA. By understanding the “bones” of our technology, we can better understand how to keep those materials in the loop forever.
A “Secret Weapon” for Change
Perhaps Bronte’s most compelling insight is the role of empathy and trust in the circular economy. She describes “female energy” as a secret weapon because it moves differently, weaving through the “fabric of society.”
In the waste industry, success requires bridging the gap between formal corporate systems and informal community spaces. “Women have an ability to foster trust in places where hope and trust have long been abandoned,” Bronte explains.
Ultimately, the circular economy isn’t just about precious metals and circuit boards; it’s about people. Building trust across every layer of society is what makes a sustainable system actually work.