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Women Driving the Circular Economy Revolution
06 March, 2026
This Women’s Day, Waste & Recycling celebrates the women driving progress in the circular economy, creating innovative solutions and inspiring change across communities, industries, and the environment.
Joelle Saab, Director of Recycling Facilities & ESG, Dulsco Environment
As the Director of Recycling Facilities & ESG at Dulsco Environment and the Chairperson of the Dubai Recycling Business Group under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Joelle Saab’s work focuses on developing recycling and circular economy solutions that divert waste from landfills and transform materials into valuable resources. She was drawn to this field because it sits at the intersection of environmental impact, operations, and innovation, offering the satisfaction of seeing tangible results from one’s efforts.
When it comes to innovation in the circular economy, Joelle emphasizes the importance of skills, perspective, and collaboration over gender. “What matters most is the value people bring through their expertise, ideas, and ability to collaborate,” she notes. However, she observes that many women leaders in the sector often bring a unique combination of collaboration and long-term thinking. These qualities are particularly valuable in the circular economy, where solutions must connect industries, communities, and policies to achieve meaningful, sustainable impact.
Operationally, women in recycling value chains, especially at the grassroots and technical levels, face certain challenges. Waste management remains a highly technical and operationally intensive sector, historically dominated by men in field and technical roles, including in the Middle East. Nevertheless, this dynamic is shifting as companies increasingly recognize the importance of diverse teams and prioritize skills and capability over gender. As more women enter technical and operational positions, they not only contribute directly to the sector’s efficiency and innovation but also help reshape perceptions, inspiring others to pursue similar roles.
Joelle is optimistic about the sector’s trajectory toward inclusion. She highlights the UAE’s leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion across industries, creating an environment where talent is acknowledged based on capability and contribution. In recycling and sustainability, the growing presence of women in leadership, technical, and strategic positions signals a positive transformation for the industry. According to her, inclusive teams foster better decision-making, stronger collaboration, and more innovative approaches to tackling the complex challenges of waste management and circular solutions.
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