Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company) has introduced the ‘Integrated Textile Circularity Initiative’ in the UAE, aiming to raise awareness among consumers and foster collaborative efforts across the entire value chain. This unprecedented initiative was unveiled at COP28, where leading UAE entities participated in a panel discussion at the UAE Actionist Hub Pavilion within the Green Zone. The panel, consisting of strategic enablers from the textile ecosystem, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Foundation, Landmark Group, Lulu, and SOEX, addressed the issue of textile waste and proposed a solution for achieving textile circularity in the UAE.
The discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges associated with the practical implementation and transition to textile circularity. Following the panel, Tadweer invited panelists and stakeholders to commit to advancing textile circularity, emphasizing its role in the UAE’s environmental and sustainability goals.
Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, MD and CEO of Tadweer, highlighted the significance of textile circularity in achieving environmental goals and encouraged a shift in the approach to textile collection and recycling. The initiative, aligned with COP28 and a pledge commitment, aims to develop community development programs that educate and lead businesses and consumers toward recycling materials, promoting a wider circular economy for a sustainable future.
H.E Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation, emphasized the unique opportunity presented by the Year of Sustainability and COP28 to accelerate textile circularity initiatives. The focus includes enhancing consumer awareness, establishing effective collection systems, and encouraging recycling innovations to contribute significantly to sustainable practices in the textile industry.
Currently, the UAE’s annual textile consumption is approximately 500 million pieces, with around 210,000 tonnes ending up as discarded materials. Up to 90% of discarded textiles end up in landfills, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. To address this environmental impact, Tadweer stressed the importance of scaling organized collection programs for used textiles.
The initiative encompasses four pillars: community awareness development, textile collection and recycling, enabling ecosystem participation, and national policy development. Through these pillars, the initiative seeks to organize and expand the collection and recycling of used textiles, establishing a comprehensive infrastructure to support disposal efforts and promote more sustainable consumption patterns among businesses and consumers. Notable entities in attendance included government authorities, ministries, charities, hotel chains, hospitals, and others.
