Reflection of zero waste policy in environmental education on social studies lesson and research according to teacher opinions

It is necessary to have an effective environmental education in schools in order to prevent the occurrence of environmental problems and to raise environmentally sensitive individuals. In this study, it is aimed to reflect the zero waste policy on social studies textbooks in the context of environmental education and to examine the views of social studies teachers on this subject. Document analysis and interview method were used in the study. Within the scope of the study, the social studies curriculum and textbooks were examined and online interviews were conducted with 25 social studies teachers working in Aksaray. An interview form consisting of two parts and 10 questions were used as a data collection tool. The data obtained in the interview was subjected to content analysis and the categories were reached by considering the different opinions and evaluations reported within the framework of the themes. As a result of the examination of the social studies curriculum and textbooks, it can be stated that the textbooks and the program are insufficient in terms of content on environmental education and zero waste. However, social studies teachers also stated that the content of the social studies course on environmental education and zero waste was insufficient and the content should be enriched. In addition, they stated that necessary acquisitions should be added to the social studies curriculum and these acquisitions should be supported by basic skills and practices. In the social studies curriculum, it is recommended to increase the achievements related to the environment, environmental problems, zero waste and recycling, to enrich the textbooks with content and visuals, and to take the opinions of social studies teachers in this context.