The UAE’s national Naseej initiative is expected to support the recycling of more than 220,000 tons of discarded textiles annually, helping advance industrial circularity and sustainability in the country’s textile sector, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism.

Speaking during the first community event under the initiative, The Fabric of Possibility at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, Bin Touq said the UAE’s textile waste represents a valuable economic resource that can be repurposed through recycling and remanufacturing.

He said the initiative is expected to create new opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs by supporting projects that help build an integrated circular economy ecosystem for textiles. Recycled materials could be used across sectors, including furniture manufacturing, construction materials, and other industries.

Bin Touq said the circular economy is based on reuse, recycling and resource efficiency, enabling industrial by-products and waste materials to be reintroduced into production processes.

He added that the UAE continues to advance a circular economy framework aligned with international best practices, with policies aimed at strengthening connections between different stages of industrial production and encouraging integrated industrial clusters.

According to Bin Touq, this approach can contribute to both economic and environmental objectives by improving resource efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and lowering reliance on imported products.

He described the circular economy as a key component of the UAE’s future economic model, noting that efforts are continuing to strengthen supporting policies and strategies while increasing public awareness of circular economy principles.

Through the alignment of policy, industry and community engagement, the Naseej initiative seeks to position the UAE as a leading global hub for circular textile solutions while promoting a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The initiative is also expected to expand its community engagement activities nationwide, offering interactive programs to raise awareness of textile waste and encourage public participation in sustainable practices.

Future phases will focus on supporting sustainable production, strengthening infrastructure for textile collection, sorting and recycling, and advancing research and pilot projects aimed at scaling circular economy solutions across the sector.