UAE targets textile waste with Naseej

UAE authorities have launched Naseej, a national textile circularity initiative designed to reduce the estimated 220,000 tonnes of clothing and fabric waste generated across the country each year and move the sector away from a use-and-discard model.

The programme, launched under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, brings together the National Projects Office, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Emirates Foundation and Tadweer Group in a unified platform covering policy, recycling systems, research, industry participation and public awareness. It is intended to turn textile waste into a circular economy priority by keeping materials in use for longer, expanding collection infrastructure and encouraging consumers and businesses to change disposal habits.

Naseej will focus on five strategic pillars: collection and recycling, awareness and outreach, behavioural research, policies and regulations, and circular business and innovation. The initiative is expected to support national programmes that improve textile collection, promote reuse, strengthen recycling capacity and create market conditions for circular products and services.

Textile waste has become an increasingly visible sustainability challenge in the UAE, where high consumption, fast fashion, population growth and a strong retail sector have contributed to rising volumes of discarded garments, linens and other materials. Earlier estimates placed textile consumption at about 500 million pieces annually, with a large share of discarded material ending up in landfill. The latest waste estimate of about 220,000 tonnes underlines the scale of the challenge facing municipalities, retailers, waste operators and consumers.

The initiative builds on work that began during COP28, when public and private-sector stakeholders started developing a framework for textile circularity. That groundwork included engagement with fashion brands, manufacturers, collection firms, recyclers, research bodies and community organisations, as well as memorandums of understanding intended to align the fragmented textile value chain.

Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Court for National Projects, said Naseej reflected the UAE’s commitment to sustainability as a shared national responsibility. She described the initiative as a platform for behavioural change, responsible resource use and community participation.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, said the project brought together institutions, industry, youth and the wider community to rethink how resources are valued and preserved.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the initiative would establish a national framework aligning policy, industry action and public participation under the UAE’s circular economy agenda. He said the shift from voluntary and fragmented efforts to an organised national system would help scale textile circularity across the country.

The first public activation linked to Naseej, The Fabric of Possibility, is scheduled to run from June 5 to 7 at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. The event is designed as an immersive experience for families and individuals, allowing visitors to explore the environmental impact of discarded textiles and practical options for reuse, repair and recycling. The activation is expected to expand to other parts of the UAE in later phases.

The initiative comes as circular economy policy is being integrated into wider national planning. The UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021–2031 aims to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and support sustainable production and consumption. Textile circularity fits into that agenda because clothing waste cuts across retail, manufacturing, logistics, household behaviour, charity networks and waste management.

Industry participation will be critical to the programme’s impact. Retailers and manufacturers are expected to play a larger role in collection, take-back models, design choices and material recovery. Waste-management companies and recyclers will need better sorting systems to separate reusable garments from fabrics suitable for fibre recovery, upcycling or industrial recycling. Research institutions are expected to support behavioural studies, material innovation and pilot projects that can be scaled.

The challenge is not limited to collection. Many textiles are made from blended fibres, dyes, zips, buttons and chemical finishes that complicate recycling. Low-cost fast fashion also reduces incentives for repair and resale, while inconsistent sorting can send reusable garments to landfill. Building a viable circular textile system will require consumer participation, clear regulations, commercial incentives and investment in processing capacity.