As we continue our International Women’s Month series at ERA NPC, we are shining a light on the incredible women who drive our mission forward. The e-waste management and tech-circularity sectors have long been perceived as male-dominated spaces, yet at ERA NPC, we are immensely proud to have a team of women leading the charge for environmental change. Today, we sit down with our Executive Administrator, Celeste Dyers, to discuss leadership, the power of female energy, and the realities of working in the circular economy.
One of the most persistent myths Celeste is eager to dismantle is the idea that women represent the “soft side” of sustainability. This misconception suggests that while men handle the logistics and technicalities, women are simply there to polish the narrative. Celeste firmly disagrees. She notes that women in this space are not here to decorate the sustainability story; they are actively building, regulating, negotiating, and scaling it. From policy compliance to the physical management of electronic waste, women are the architects of the systems that protect our planet.
When asked what advice she would give her younger self if she could send a refurbished laptop back in time, her message was clear: claim your seat at the table. She references the powerful adage, “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” In an industry that is rapidly evolving, Celeste believes that women should never feel they need permission to take up space or voice their expertise.
This confidence is rooted in what many call “female energy,” which Celeste views as a secret weapon for the circular economy. Circularity is inherently relational. It requires a constant cycle of connecting, repairing, rethinking, and redistributing. Celeste observes that women often operate naturally within these complex ecosystems. They tend to think about impact chains, long-term consequences, and how a single action affects an entire community.
By collaborating without ego and building trust across diverse stakeholders—including government bodies, producers, and recyclers—women are uniquely positioned to manage the intricacies of e-waste. At ERA, we see this every day. The success of the circular economy depends on the ability to see the big picture while managing the fine details, a balance our female team members strike with excellence. We are honoured to celebrate Celeste and all the women working to ensure a sustainable future for South Africa.