Key Takeaways
- Dubai Holding Community Management and ReFarm Global have signed an MOU to launch “Sea to Soil”, a circular sustainability initiative converting algae waste into regenerative compost.
- Pilot trials at Palm Jumeirah converted 120 kilograms of algae waste into 31 kg of nutrient-rich “Re-Soil” compost, which is then reused in community landscaping.
- The first phase targets Palm Jumeirah during peak algae season between mid-May and September, establishing a closed-loop waste-to-resource model.
- The agreement was signed by Francis Giani, CEO of Dubai Holding Community Management, and Oliver Christof, CEO of ReFarm Global Investments.
- The initiative is positioned as a step toward the UAE's Net Zero ambitions, applying circular economy principles within community management.
A New Circular Model for Community Sustainability
Dubai Holding Community Management and UAE-based agtech firm ReFarm Global have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch “Sea to Soil”, a circular sustainability initiative that converts marine algae waste into regenerative compost for reuse across residential communities. The agreement was signed by Francis Giani, CEO of Dubai Holding Community Management, and Oliver Christof, CEO of ReFarm Global Investments.
The initiative is described as a first of its kind within community management, applying a closed-loop model where naturally occurring marine waste is collected, processed, and returned to the same community as a useful resource for landscaping.
ReFarm Global's Pilot Results at Palm Jumeirah
Before the MOU was signed, the two organisations ran pilot trials at Palm Jumeirah that demonstrated the model's viability at small scale. In those trials, 120 kilograms of algae waste were processed into 31 kilograms of nutrient-rich “Re-Soil” compost. That compost was then fed back into the community's landscaping ecosystem, completing the circular loop.
The first operational phase of the initiative will focus on Palm Jumeirah during peak algae season, which runs from mid-May through September. The timing targets the period when algae accumulation is at its highest, maximising the volume of waste that can be redirected from disposal into productive use.
Aligning with the UAE's Net Zero Goals
Both organisations framed the initiative as a practical contribution to the UAE's Net Zero ambitions, moving sustainability from policy commitment to on-the-ground operation. By treating algae as a resource rather than a waste problem, the model reduces disposal costs while producing a soil amendment that supports greener community spaces.
ReFarm Global has previously been involved in large-scale vertical farming projects in Dubai, including the development of a GigaFarm using controlled-environment technology. The “Sea to Soil” initiative extends the company's work into marine waste streams and community-scale circular agriculture.
