As we continue our International Women’s Month series at ERA NPC, we are shifting the spotlight from the technical “how” of e-waste to the incredible “who” behind our operations. This week, we sat down with our Office Manager, Aurelia Forbes, to discuss the intersection of gender, sustainability, and leadership in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) sector.
Aurelia’s insights remind us that while the circular economy deals in hardware, its success is driven by heart and persistence.
Redefining Technical Credibility
In an industry often perceived as male-dominated, a lingering misconception is that women must work twice as hard to “prove” their technical worth. Aurelia is quick to shut that down.
“Credibility in this industry is built by results:safer recovery systems, stronger compliance, smarter reuse models, and real impact on communities,” she notes. “Gender does not determine technical competence. Performance does.”
At ERA NPC, we see this daily. Our female team members aren’t just participating; they are architecting the systems that keep South Africa’s e-waste out of landfills.
Advice to the Next Generation
When asked what advice she would leave on a refurbished laptop for her younger self, Aurelia’s message was one of radical self-belief. Her saved file would read: Stop waiting to feel ready.
She believes that systemic change isn’t fueled by those who have the most certifications, but by those who are the most persistent. “Your voice belongs in the room long before you feel comfortable in it,” she adds—a powerful reminder for any woman looking to break into the green economy.
The Secret Weapon of the Circular Economy
Why does Female Energy seem to be such a catalyst for sustainability? For Aurelia, it comes down to the nature of the challenge. The circular economy isn’t just an engineering puzzle; it’s a human one.
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Behavior Change: Shifting how society views “waste.”
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Collaboration: Fixing broken links in the supply chain.
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Empathy: Ensuring progress doesn’t leave vulnerable communities behind.
Aurelia argues that female leadership excels at holding complexity and building the coalitions necessary to make circularity a reality.
At ERA NPC, we are proud to have women like Aurelia steering our mission. Their impact is a testament to the fact that the future of tech-circularity isn’t just about better machines—it’s about better leadership.