Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (LIWA CITY)
An innovator in the UAE has found a novel way to recycle date pits: She is turning them into charcoal.
At the ongoing Liwa Date Festival, Huda Saif Kenish Alhameli has caught the attention of experts and visitors with her high-quality, all-natural charcoal.
“The idea came up in response to a competition announced by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority for the Liwa Date Festival 2025,” Alhameli told Aletihad.
“The public response has been incredibly encouraging and I’m excited to continue developing it further,” she said.
The charcoal stands out for its eco-friendly composition and high performance. Since it’s made exclusively from natural date pits, it contains no chemicals or allergens. It ignites quickly, burns for an extended period and offers a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal.
The product has been tested and certified by METS Laboratories, ensuring that it’s safe and ready for commercial use, she said.
Alhameli sees a bright future for this project, “especially with the support of our wise leadership and institutions dedicated to sustainability”.
The initiative, she added, is not only about innovation but preserving the palm tree as a cultural symbol.
“The palm tree is part of our identity and recycling its byproducts rather than discarding them contributes to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” Alhameli said.
As the nation observes the Year of Community, she emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in preserving the date palm and supporting initiatives that uphold the UAE’s environmental and cultural values.
Running until July 27 in Al Dhafra Region, the Liwa Date Festival continues to grow as a hub for culture, innovation and community engagement, showcasing how tradition and creativity can work hand in hand for a sustainable future.
