Sociological perspective on recycling and green consumption habits of young people within the scope of environmental sensitivity

The environment, in its most general sense, refers to the domain encompassing all substances and activities necessary for human survival. Therefore, humans are environmentally dependent. Individuals are in constant interaction with the environment, meaning they are both affected by it and influence it. The human-nature relationship has undergone various changes with developments throughout history. In this context, this research primarily examines the human-nature relationship before the "Enlightenment Period," a turning point in the human-environment relationship, and the human-nature relationship after the "Enlightenment Period." It then addresses the "Industrial Revolution," which led to the evolution of environmental problems to a new dimension, and the environmental problems it created. Production in factories is inherently dependent on natural resources. To ensure continued production, factories engaged in an uncontrolled search for raw materials. All these irreversible production activities and the uncontrolled use of energy have caused air, water, and soil pollution and unknowingly accelerated the depletion of natural resources. The unfiltered release of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste into nature poses a threat to humanity and all living things. In this context, the environmental consequences of technological advancements are explained, and the potential contributions of "Sustainable Development" and "Circular Economy" models to environmental health are discussed. In this context, questions were posed to understand the environmental awareness of young people, who are crucial building blocks for future generations in managing and mitigating environmental problems that threaten the health and survival of humanity and ecosystems on a global scale, within the context of responsible production and consumption In addition to the aforementioned, this study, which seeks to explain young people's responsible production and consumption behaviors, employed a qualitative research method. The findings were obtained through in-depth interviews with 16 interviews with 16 young people ( 8 males, 8 females) aged 18-24. The research revealed that young people are environmentally conscious regarding responsible production and consumption behaviors. However, other findings of the research also indicated that individual, social, economic, and infrastructural challenges hinder young people's ability to maintain sustainable behaviors. However, based on participant statements, it was understood that the concept and culture of green consumption are difficult to recognize and embrace due to a lack of knowledge and economic constraints. Participants expressed the need for innovations in the information, advertising, and economic policies of the state, and economic policies of the state, municipalities, and environmental institutions and organizations.