The Textbook Cycle: One Book, 5 Students, 5 Years

A single Cambridge IGCSE Biology textbook costs SAR 320 new. Most students use it for one year and then shelve it. But what if that same book served 5 students over 5 years? The effective cost would drop to SAR 64 per student. This is the circular economy applied to education — and it is exactly what Kitaaby does.

The Life of a Textbook Without Kitaaby

1. Year 1: Student A buys the book new for SAR 320.
2. Year 1 end: Exams are over. The book goes on a shelf.
3. Year 2-5: The book gathers dust.
4. Year 6: The family moves or declutters. The book is thrown away.

Total students served: 1. Cost per student: SAR 320.

The Life of a Textbook With Kitaaby

1. Year 1: Student A buys the book new for SAR 320. Uses it for one year.
2. Year 1 end: Family donates the book to Kitaaby. We list it as a priced book at SAR 160.
3. Year 2: Student B buys it used for SAR 160. Uses it for one year. Donates it back.
4. Year 3: Student C buys it for SAR 100. Uses it. Donates it back.
5. Year 4: Student D gets it for SAR 80. Uses it. Donates it back.
6. Year 5: Student E gets it free through the giveaway store. Pays only delivery.

Total students served: 5. Total cost: SAR 320. Effective cost per student: SAR 64.

The Environmental Impact

• 1 book produced instead of 5 — 4 trees saved
• 4kg CO2 avoided — equivalent to charging 500 phones
• 1 book in a landfill instead of 5

The Social Impact

• 4 families who could not afford new books got access to the same education
• Student E got the book for free — only paying delivery
• The community benefited from shared resources rather than individual waste

How to Join the Cycle

If your child has finished a course, donate the textbook to Kitaaby. If your child needs a textbook, check Kitaaby first before buying new. Every book that enters the cycle saves money, trees, and creates access for families who need it.