Reflections of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change's zero waste project on primary school students, their parents and classroom teachers The case of Kızılcahamam district of Ankara province

This research was conducted in the district of Kızılcahamam, Ankara province, selected as the first pilot region in the zero waste project implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. The aim of the research is to investigate the effects of zero waste practices in the first pilot district on the students selected from this region, their parents and teachers. The research took place at Çağatay Primary School in the Kızılcahamam district of Ankara, employing the content analysis method, one of the qualitative research methods. Semi-structured questions were prepared for the research and applied as interviews to 21 participants, including 10 students, 10 parents, and the class teacher. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through content analysis. The obtained data were organized into themes and sub-themes without altering the original content. According to the findings of the research, the participants had insufficient knowledge before the zero waste practices, but their knowledge level increased after all the practices, the operation of the project progressed in a positive direction, the activities in the project were reflected within the scope of the project, and it had a positive impact on the people, and people's perspective on the environment and the concept of garbage changed. It has been determined that they reflect what they have learned together into their lives and act in line with their knowledge and attitudes.