The effect of eco-schools program implemented in preschool period on children's recycling awareness levels

The aim of this research is to examine the impact of the Eco-Schools program applied in the preschool period on children's awareness levels of recycling. An attempt has been made to determine whether there is a difference in recycling awareness between a class where the Eco-Schools program is implemented and a class where the traditional educational curriculum is applied. The sample of the study consists of 26 students aged 60-72 months attending an independent preschool in the Maltepe district of Istanbul during the 2022-2023 academic year. A "Recycling Interview Form" consisting of 19 questions was prepared as the data collection tool. Before the research, the Recycling Interview Form was applied as a pre-test to both the experimental and control group students. Subsequently, the Eco-Schools program was implemented for 12 weeks in the experimental group. The same procedure was repeated as a post-test for both groups, and the data obtained from the students' responses were analyzed using the SPSS 27 package program. When examining the findings, no significant difference was found in terms of gender in recycling awareness levels between the groups. However, it was observed that there was a significant increase in recycling awareness levels in the group where the Eco-Schools program was implemented compared to the group receiving traditional curriculum education. In this context, it can be stated that the Eco-Schools program is successful in creating recycling awareness in the group where it is implemented. The Eco-Schools program emphasizes the inclusion of recycling activities in the curriculum. In the group where the Eco-Schools program was implemented, various activities were conducted to emphasize the importance of recycling, encourage the use of waste bins, produce paper pulp from waste paper and have students produce paper again with their own hands, design toys from waste materials, reintroduce organic waste to nature, and engage children in activities such as growing plants. The positive impact of the Eco-Schools program on children, which focuses on practical activities and adopts a learning-by-doing approach, is evident in this research.