Abstract
Objectives:
The habit of recycling should be acquired at an early age in order to promote the sustainable use of natural resources. The limited number of studies carried out with early-years children highlights the need for more research with members of this age group. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the ‘Don’t Waste! – Recycle’ Programme on developing waste management awareness in preschool children.
Methods:
A cluster-randomised experimental study design was used with a pretest-posttest control group and repeated measurements. A total of 164 Turkish preschool children, matched in terms of socioeconomic aspect, were selected to participate in the study by random sampling. The intervention group received the Don’t Waste! – Recycle Programme for 4 weeks, with 30-minute sessions 3 days a week. Data collection took place using a demographic form and a Waste Knowledge and Behaviour Form before the intervention, in the first week, and during the third month after the intervention. Data were also collected simultaneously from a matched control group.
Results:
The intervention group showed statistically significant improvement in knowledge and behaviour scores in comparison to the control group (p < .05). Progress was observed to be sustained for 3 months after the intervention with a large (.87–3.83) effect size.
Conclusion:
The Don’t Waste! – Recycle Programme was found to be efficacious in raising waste management awareness among children. By starting recycling programmes in schools, health professionals and educators can help children build good habits early, which benefits both the environment and the community’s health and well-being.
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