Saudi Arabia to recycle used Ihram fabric into sustainable new garments
The Saudi Fashion Commission has partnered with
Tadweem, the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), Kidana Development
Company, and SANKO Group to launch the Sustainable
Ihram Initiative, the Kingdom’s first eco-friendly Ihram garment product.
Unveiled at the Islamic Arts Biennale, this initiative aims to recycle used
Ihram garments from the annual Hajj pilgrimage into high-quality, sustainable
new garments, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s environmental goals.
The program uses a closed-loop textile recycling
system, where used Ihrams from the previous Hajj season are collected, sorted,
and transformed into new garments. The process begins by collecting fabrics
from tents at the Holy Site in Mina, followed by a thorough assessment to
ensure they are recyclable.
Nawaf Alhaysuni, executive director at Tadweem,
revealed that during the last Hajj season, five tons of Ihram fabric were
collected, with 95% successfully recycled and the remaining 5% upcycled into
other products. Tadweem worked in collaboration with SANKO, a Turkish textile
factory, to chemically treat the fabric and produce fresh, clean Ihram
garments. These recycled Ihrams are now available for purchase online and in
stores in Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah, with plans to expand availability at
Jeddah and Riyadh airports.
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A representative from the Saudi Fashion
Commission emphasized the long journey to develop the initiative, stating, “The
Fashion Commission is committed to innovative solutions unique to Saudi Arabia.
This collaboration raises awareness about sustainability and promotes advanced
recycling methods for Ihram garments. It aligns with Vision 2030, where
sustainability is a key focus.”
While standard Ihram garments are typically
priced between SR50 and SR60, the recycled Sustainable Ihrams are priced at
SR98 due to the international recycling process. Alhaysuni shared that
Tadweem’s long-term goal is to establish a local recycling facility to reduce
costs and create a circular economy for Ihrams within Saudi Arabia. Currently,
97% of Ihram fabrics used in the Kingdom are imported, and Tadweem hopes to
establish a local system where Ihrams are collected, recycled, and resold
domestically.
One of the major challenges has been
overcoming public concerns about the cleanliness and quality of recycled
textiles. To address this, Tadweem has incorporated a QR code on the product
packaging, linking to a video that provides full transparency of the recycling
process, from collection and cleaning to the production of new garments. “Our
goal is to build trust by showcasing every step of the process, ensuring that
these recycled Ihrams meet the same high standards of cleanliness and quality
as new ones,” said Alhaysuni.
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The initiative, which launched less than three
weeks ago, has received positive early feedback. Tadweem and the Saudi Fashion
Commission hope this project will promote a more sustainable Hajj season and
encourage greater local textile recycling. Alhaysuni said, “This is one of our
largest sustainability initiatives. If successful, the next step is to
establish a dedicated factory in Saudi Arabia to recycle Ihram fabrics
locally.”
Sustainable Ihram garments are now available online at sustainableihram.com and in select stores in Jeddah and Makkah. By pioneering green fashion, this initiative aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable textile innovation and responsible consumption.
Source: Saudi Gazette
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