Dubai Customs Partners with Landmark Group to Recycle Counterfeit Goods at UAE’s First Textile Recycling Facility

Confiscated counterfeit goods seized by Dubai Customs are now being repurposed at a pioneering textile recycling facility in Dubai South. Operated by the Landmark Group, the factory represents the UAE’s first closed-loop recycling system, transforming waste into reusable resources.

Located in the Dubai World Central (DWC) warehouse, the facility offers advanced technologies and manual inspection to recycle wearable waste. During a guided tour on Monday, visitors observed conveyor belts transporting confiscated goods for sorting by fabric type, quality, and color, all under the supervision of workers in protective gear.

Rajesh Garg, Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer at Landmark Retail, explained the partnership with Dubai Customs, which sent its first batch of seized goods to the facility last weekend. “Dubai Customs has a responsibility to responsibly dispose of and destroy these items. Recycling counterfeit products offers a sustainable alternative,” Garg said.

Transforming Waste into Resources

The recycling process involves removing non-recyclable materials and segregating plastic and metal accessories from textiles for separate handling. Garg highlighted the facility’s role in fostering a circular economy, where waste is transformed into a resource.

“As a major brand, we don’t resell these items in their current form. This facility provides an innovative way to repurpose them responsibly,” he said.

Supporting Sustainable Practices

In addition to handling counterfeit goods, the Landmark Group is encouraging residents to donate pre-loved wearable fabrics. Collection boxes in their stores allow customers to contribute used clothing, which is recycled into new products.

To incentivize participation, donors receive vouchers valued between AED 10 and AED 20 to use toward purchases. “We hope this initiative inspires people to take responsibility for sustainable practices,” Garg added.

UAE as a Global Hub for Sustainability

Industry professionals believe the UAE’s strategic location positions it as a potential global leader in sustainable commerce. The country’s advanced logistics and aviation infrastructure make it an ideal base for converting waste into eco-friendly products for redistribution worldwide.

“The UAE has a huge opportunity to establish itself as a global hub for green commerce. It sits at the center of global trade networks, making it the perfect location to bring in products, recycle them, and send them back as sustainable goods,” Garg noted.

In the first quarter of this year alone, Dubai Customs seized 4.364 million counterfeit goods valued at AED 5.43 million, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in promoting sustainability and responsible waste management in the region.