Image: Landmark Group
In a key move towards reducing waste and promoting sustainability, Landmark Group has opened the region’s first textile recycling facility in Dubai World Central.
The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Renuka Jagtiani, chairwoman of Landmark Group, in a ceremony attended by key figures from the UAE Circular Economy Council and the retail industry.
The new facility, named Landmark Circulife, will process used fabrics and textiles, transforming them into valuable recycled fibres that can be repurposed into new products.
From fashion to home furnishings, these fibres will be used to create a wide range of items, reducing the need for virgin materials and helping close the loop on textile waste in the region.
With an initial capacity of 2,000 metric tonnes of textile waste per year, Landmark Circulife is set to make a significant environmental impact, preventing thousands of tonnes of waste from ending up in landfills.
This facility is a key part of Landmark Group’s broader sustainability efforts. The company is aiming to become climate-positive across its entire value chain by 2050, and this facility plays a pivotal role in that long-term vision.
Engaging consumers in the circular economy
One of the most innovative aspects of Landmark Group’s new initiative is its focus on consumer participation. Last year, Landmark Retail launched takeback programmes in stores across the UAE, inviting customers to bring in their old clothes and textiles — regardless of brand — in exchange for rewards.
This initiative, which includes brands like Centrepoint, Max Fashion, Home Centre, and Home Box, not only encourages sustainable consumer behaviour but also ensures that valuable textiles are sent to the Landmark Circulife facility, where they can be recycled into new products.
“Protecting our environment is a shared responsibility,” said Renuka Jagtiani at the inauguration. “This facility is a crucial step in advancing circularity in the fashion and textile industry. It’s about creating a closed-loop system where used fabrics are given a second life, benefiting both the planet and the people who depend on it.”
A ‘Landmark’ moment
The launch of Landmark Circulife aligns closely with the UAE’s broader Circular Economy Policy, which aims to reduce waste, optimize resource use, and foster sustainability across industries.
Minister Al Marri emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable growth. “By fostering strong collaborations like this one, we are not only advancing sustainable initiatives but also strengthening the UAE’s position as a global leader in the circular economy,” he remarked during the event.
With the goal of addressing around 5 per cent of the UAE’s textile waste (approximately 11,000 metric tonnes), the facility is poised for significant expansion.
Over time, it is expected to contribute to the reduction of 140,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, save 107 GWh of energy, and conserve millions of litres of water, making it a key player in the UAE’s efforts to meet its sustainability targets.