UPP! UpCycling Plastic bv is pleased to announce that it has secured funds from Beiersdorf’s Women in Circularity Program II to continue the establishment of the UPP! Circular Plastic Factory in Sidoarjo, Indonesia.
The funds will directly benefit PT Uppcycling Sustainindo Perkasa (USP), a joint venture to be established between UPP! and our local partner, PT. Sumber Djaja Perkasa (SDP). This joint venture will set up the UPP! factory for construction materials made from difficult-to-recycle mixed plastic waste at SDP’s facility in Sidoarjo, Indonesia. USP will also be responsible for carrying out both the women empowerment activities and recycling operations.
Women in Circularity is an initiative launched by Beiersdorf aiming to contribute to the sustainable development and scale-up of plastic recycling infrastructure in emerging economies and at the same time to offer training and development opportunities, as well as healthcare services, to support women in the waste management sector.
The funds from Beiersdorf’s Women in Circularity Program II will ensure better labor opportunities for women involved in the plastic supply chain, particularly in the factory to be established. Health, safety, hygiene, childcare, and education are key concerns for the women engaged in the collection, sorting, and recycling activities. To address these essential needs, USP will build facilities and implement initiatives tailored to safeguard and support these women.
Hai Ngo Dijkstra, UPP!’s project manager, is extremely happy with the these funds which will make the continuation and expansion of our plans in Indonesia (and SE Asia) possible. Within the Plastics in Circularity Indonesia (PICI) Consortium, led by MVO Nederland and supported by P4G Partnerships (P4G), the first feasibility and preparatory activities for the project were carried out between 2022 and 2024.
Through this collaborative effort, the program strives to not only uplift women in the circular economy but also promote safer and more sustainable working environments within the industry.
