Abu Dhabi Customs has recycled 578 counterfeit goods seized between 2022 and the beginning of 2023.
The goods are valued at Dhs 2 million and have been repurposed into materials that can be used in various fields.
The products included leather accessories like bags and clothes, watches and belts, as well as smart devices ranging from wired to wireless headphones.
Items that could not be recycled were destroyed by a recycling company, Shredex, after all the legal requirements were completed.
Fahed Gareeb Alshamsi, Executive Director of the Support Services Sector at Abu Dhabi Customs, said, "By recycling counterfeit goods to preserve the environment and protect it from damages that contradict the applicable environmental protection laws in the UAE, this will educate consumers on using or trading in counterfeit goods. This will contribute towards society, the country's economy and the importance of protecting intellectual property rights to enhance the process of sustainable development for business continuity and economic prosperity."