Dubai Holding Community Management has signed a memorandum of understanding with ReFarm Global, a circular resource recovery firm, to convert algae and organic waste collected from Dubai’s coastline into soil products for use in community landscaping.
The “Sea to Soil” programme will process marine and organic waste using ReFarm’s regenerative technology, producing nutrient-rich soil that will be applied across Palm Jumeirah’s landscaping areas. The two organisations say more than 20 tonnes of algae waste are expected to be diverted from conventional disposal by the end of 2026. The collaboration has been running in some form since 2024; the MoU formalises and scales the arrangement.
The first phase targets Palm Jumeirah during peak algae season, which runs from mid-May through September, when naturally occurring algae accumulates along the shoreline.
“At Dubai Holding Community Management, we believe environmental sustainability is most powerful when it is embedded in the way communities are planned, managed and continuously enhanced. Together with ReFarm, we are turning a natural environmental occurrence into a practical, regenerative solution that creates value within the communities we manage. The ‘Sea to Soil’ initiative reinforces our commitment to building more sustainable and resilient neighbourhoods through innovation and strategic partnerships, in line with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambition and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, which underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainable development,” Francis Giani, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Holding Community Management said in a statement.
“Sea to Soil demonstrates how regenerative infrastructure can transform environmental challenges into measurable environmental and community value. Together with Dubai Holding Community Management, we are establishing a scalable circular model that converts naturally occurring marine and organic waste into a valuable resource for healthier landscapes, reduced waste streams and more resilient communities. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing practical regenerative solutions that support the UAE’s long-term sustainability and environmental ambitions,” Oliver Christof, Chief Executive Officer of ReFarm added.
Dubai Holding Community Management says the initiative aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 target and frames it within its own sustainability strategy, which covers environmental impact, supply chain responsibility, and governance.
