The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnesses tons of textiles and clothes cast off in its recycling centers and landfills annually. Charitable organizations in Saudi have initiated programs to aid in the recycling of these discarded items to endorse a sustainable environment.
Saudi charitable organizations upcycle discarded textiles and clothes
Kiswa, a Saudi Arabian reprocessing facility, began working alongside charities to aid the safe disposal of unwanted clothes in 2018. The facility also endorsed the spirit of communal cooperation and solidarity to safeguard the environment.
Kiswa believes in the Islamic concept of adorning oneself with new clothes for Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr through its Kiswat Al-Eid when every individual, irrespective of class, dress up in newly purchased clothes.
Kiswa also aids to facilitate new income prospects for charities via collaborations with the private and public sectors to achieve Vision 2030 targets on assisting the profit and nonprofit sectors.
Salem Derbah, CEO of Kiswa, stated that the service assisted to diminish the challenge and prices for charities and people whilst accumulating spare clothes.
Kiswa houses a comprehensive crew that is devoted to accumulating, cataloging, preparing, and distributing clothes to organizations. The facility also endorses the notion of volunteering amongst the Saudi Arabian youth. So far, it has implemented 40 distribution initiatives, according to Salem Derbah.
This endeavor by Kiswa assembles extra clothes from people who would otherwise discard or donate them via a dedicated mobile application.
Donations are then organized and cataloged. The decently kept and newer clothing pieces are delivered to beneficiaries, whilst the damaged goods are recycled for the profit of the Kiswa project.
The income benefitted through the project is dedicated to charities and is invested in initiatives that help uplift the safety of the environment.
At Kiswa, surplus garments are segregated and differentiated as per their type, color, and material. They are then reprocessed to fiber and altered to a new product with trifling waste, Derbah stated.
Salem Derbah told Arab News that Kiswa has partnered with more than 27 authentic social development organizations across Saudi Arabia, who include – Al-Oula Women’s Charitable Society, Tarahum Charity Foundation, and others.
Al-Oula Women’s Charitable Society has introduced projects for children’s education, young women, and women in the fashion industry (opportunities to develop their innate skillsets).
Dania Al-Maeena, CEO of Al-Oula, told Arab News that the organization has been collaborating with versatile local designers to provide sustainable fashion. These collaborations include some of Saudi Arabia’s renowned designers like Hunaidah Serafi, Zakiya Attar, and Nasiba Hafiz. The organization vouches for the utilization of discarded materials to produce more sustainable outcomes. The profits from sales are dedicated to backing the organization.
Maeena expressed her delight in partnering with the myriad Saudi Arabian initiatives to accomplish Al-Oula’s goal. The organization has also authenticated a fresh deal with Saudi-based Hasanat to emerge with more sustainable products.
Hasanat, a Saudi Arabian fashion charity organization, relates creativity and empowerment to its charity work. Hasanat procures donated clothes, and scours, classifies, and irons all garments to deliver a wholesome platform for women to earn a decent livelihood and emerge independent whilst working from home.
The charitable organization also delivers to women a chance to partner up, accumulate new skillsets, and reprocess old garments into new, vendable products with contemporary designs that are as striking as well-known brands with a resonating price range.
All products by Hasanat are fabricated from recycled and repurposed raw materials.
Hasanat guarantees that a minimum amount of fabric is wasted every year by reprocessing all the leftover raw material into quilts or cozy blankets and delivering them to underprivileged families in the country.
