Schools plan to recycle old books after exams

Every year students at Saudi schools throw away or destroy their books after their final examinations. According to an Arabic daily newspaper, an estimated 80 million books are thrown into dustbins and onto the country’s roads every year.

This year may see a complete turnaround with schools planning to provide recycling bins where students can place their books after their examinations.

Many young girls are adamant they will either keep their books for future reference or recycle them.

Roya Al-Harithy, a secondary school student, wants to keep her books.

“I love my books and don’t want to throw them away. I learned from my teachers that we should not destroy our books, but keep them safe for future reference, or donate them to others so they can use them,” she said.

Another student, Ritaj Al-Ghatni, said it was not a good idea to throw books away. She said her school would provide recycling bins this year.

Salman Al-Harithy, a college student, told Arab News that he used to throw his books away or tear them up, but this year plans to donate them for recycling.

He plans to celebrate the end-of-year examinations by doing something different with his friends.

“There will be many things happening I can enjoy such as parties. I'm also thinking of taking some courses.”

He said the Ministry of Education has ensured colleges and universities provide recycling bins for students who want to discard their old books.

“But I will keep my books at home,” said Al-Harithy.

He said it was likely that many of his friends would also not get rid of their books this year. Besides, it was a bad thing to throw some books away because they may contain Allah’s name, he added.

A high school student, Hasan Al-Sabti, told Arab News that he plans to join a football club after exams and will either store his books or hand them over for recycling.

He said his school has highlighted the importance of protecting books.

“So my friend and I will not do anything that harms the environment and take care of our books,” he said.

Salem Al-Garni, another high school student, said that tearing up books and throwing them away was fun. He did this because these books were not needed anymore, he added.

Ameen Murtaba, a school principal, said that his school plans to provide recycling bins and expects students to act differently this year.

He said schools started recycling books last year, with the support of the Education Ministry.

Amal Hindi, a supervisor at an Arabic school for girls, said that they are planning to provide big bins for recycling.

“I must say almost all girl school students are not throwing away their books, but putting them in collecting bins, which is really a good thing because books are a source of knowledge. This is what we've taught them and I hope everyone will see a difference this year,” she said.

Salwa Rasheed Al-Rahman, a former university lecturer, said that universities collect books every year in bins and send them to recycling companies, or store them for future use.