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Sustainability in action: How the Dawoodi Bohras in Dubai are building a greener tomorrow

From smart recycling machines to repurposed compost bins, their collective green initiatives aim to foster a culture that aligns with the 2025 UAE Year of Community.


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Waste Management
 
June 19 2025
 
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The Dawoodi Bohra community in Dubai has been weaving sustainability into the fabric of everyday life, through consistent and collaborative efforts. Rooted in Islamic values of cleanliness and care for creation, these small efforts reflect a growing awareness and shared commitment towards environmental responsibility. 

From smart recycling machines to repurposed compost bins, their collective green initiatives foster a culture that aligns with the 2025 UAE Year of Community.

Smarter recycling, efficient results

Ten-year old Burhanuddin Murtaza usually tossed juice cans and other bottles into the bin unaware of their value. However, the installation of a recycling machine near his house coupled with awareness sessions tailored for young minds transformed his outlook. 

He now collects his recyclable items at home, brings them to the machine and watches the number tick up as the machine updates the count of recyclables.

The machine is changing how Dawoodi Bohras think about waste & recycling in the Al Qusais neighbourhood. Developed in partnership with “Sparklo”, a UAE-based smart recycling startup, community members have contributed more than 36,000 plastic bottles and 940  aluminium cans since its installation last year. The impact is equivalent to diverting  nearly a ton of waste from landfills and offsetting more than 5,500 kg of CO₂ emissions.

“It’s amazing to see kids rushing to the machine with their empty bottles,” said Murtaza Balasinorewala, a sustainability volunteer. “It’s become a habit now as everyone wants to do their part.”

Tackling waste at its source: A Ramadan success story

In addition to promoting individual initiatives, the community has effected measures to observe large-scale events more responsibly. The holy month of Ramadan in particular, is a time when hundreds of community members gather for Iftar in the evenings. Throughout the month, a dedicated team of volunteers raise awareness about zero food waste and the importance of waste segregation at source. 

These measures helped to not only curb food wastage but also sensitise community members about the  significance of separating wet and dry waste. During Ramadan, the community also collaborates with local recycling agencies to deposit daily recyclables, thereby setting a circular economy in motion whilst helping to reduce the burden of legacy waste into landfills. 

Hands-on composting

To mark Mother Earth Day, the community organised a hands-on composting session, led by a sustainability expert. Participants were shown how to use leftover grains, fruit peels, and garden leaves to fill repurposed compost bins, built from recycled industrial drums.

Batul Tambawala, a participant, said, “Until this workshop, I didn’t realise how easy composting could be. What used to be kitchen waste, now nourishes the garden we grow our herbs in,” she said.

Rethinking plastic, one bottle at a time

Not far from Dubai, a similar story is taking shape in the Dawoodi Bohra community of Abu Dhabi who observed a sustainable Ramadan through the BYOB (Bring your own bottle) initiative. BYOB is being implemented in various Dawoodi Bohra communities across the world where community members are encouraged to avoid single-use cups or bottles and opt for reusable ones instead.  

“It has been a simple and cost-effective switch. To think about the load of waste that can be avoided through something as simple as that is telling you something about sustainability. That it needn’t be as complicated as some may make it seem,” said a community member. 

“This initiative also inculcates healthy habits that replace convenience with mindfulness which in turn encourages a lasting change,” said Hussain Ezzy, an active community volunteer.

A culture of action

These initiatives are not one-off campaigns but a part of a broader ethos rooted in Islamic teachings of cleanliness, responsibility, and care for the Earth. Building on earlier initiatives like the Eco-Swap campaign, they continue to support green action that is embedded in daily routines and community events.

As the UAE marks its 2025 Year of Community, the Dawoodi Bohras’ purposeful efforts aligned with their global Project Rise initiative serves as a reminder that change begins right where we are. Sometimes it starts small, but grows with every bottle recycled, every compost bin filled, and every individual who chooses a reusable bottle over a disposable one.