Saudi Arabian Authorities Launch Ihram Recycling Program

JAKARTA - The Mode Commission of the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia recently introduced the Sustainable Ihram initiative, which focuses on recycling and reusing used ihram.

This project aims not only to respect sacred Islamic traditions, but also to contribute to the protection of the planet by embracing environmentally friendly solutions, quoted from Arab News March 20.

Announced at the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, this initiative aims to recycle the used Ihram clothing into a new high-quality Ihram, which supports the sustainability goal of the Saudi Vision 2030, reported by the Saudi Gazette.

This initiative is a collaboration with the Saudi Investment Recycling Co., with environmentally friendly fashion company Tadweem.

Based on this initiative, used ihram was collected and transformed into new sustainable clothing through the circular textile recycling process. This innovative effort is a collaboration between the Saudi Investment Recycling Co., and Tadweem, quoted from the Tribune.

This program aims to increase consumer awareness about mode recycling while supporting the development of a circular textile economy in Saudi Arabia.

Realizing the environmental impact of discarded ihram clothing, produced in large quantities for annual Hajj, the Mode Commission has identified opportunities to reduce textile waste.

"Ihram is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about fashion, but at the same time, it is a product that is sold and used in large quantities, repeated every year, especially during Hajj," said CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission Burak Cakmak.

To realize this initiative, 336 collection sites were installed in Mina, where several tons of used ihram clothes were collected. These clothes undergo a careful recycling process, which includes sorting, cleaning, tearing, and reweaving, which ultimately creates new ihramwear for pilgrims to wear with a deeper purpose.

"There is no better way to do this than for your religious hajj, where you want to focus on spirituality and ensure that the products you use represent purity both in the body and mind," Cakmak said.

Meanwhile, Tadweem CEO Mustafa Bukhari explained, although production is currently being carried out outside Saudi Arabia, his long-term goal is to bring production to the Kingdom.

For this project, the collected ihram was converted into raw material in Dubai, before being sent to Turkey for production and then returned to Saudi Arabia.

"All products are made from recycled materials, including packaging and bags used, without substances that are harmful to the environment," said Bukhari.

"We use recycled cotton for ihram and packaging bags, ensuring the environmental sustainability of all products," he said.

Meanwhile, Nawaf Alhaysuni, executive director at Tadweem, said the company collected five tons of Ihram cloth last Hajj season. About 95 percent of the fabrics were recycled, and the remaining 5 percent were recycled into other products.

It is known, if the standard Ihram clothing costs between 50 and 60 Saudi riyals, the Shelf-Registered Ihram clothing is priced at 98 Saudi riyals for international recycling costs.