The Predictive Power of Preservice Teachers' Attitudes towards Solid Waste and Recycling on Environmental Approaches

Today, increasing population, rapid urbanization, and consumption habits bring problems such as environmental pollution and waste management to the forefront. In this context, environmental awareness and sustainability concepts are among the critical skills that can be developed in individuals through education. In particular, educators' attitudes and approaches to issues such as the protection of natural resources, waste reduction, and recycling can directly affect the level of environmental awareness of future generations. This study tested whether the solid waste and recycling (SWR) attitudes of preservice teachers predicted the environmental approach. In this context, the relational model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the study. The study group of the research consisted of 712 preservice teachers pursuing their education at a state university in 2024. The study data were collected using the Attitude towards Solid Waste and Recycling Scale, the New Ecological Paradigm Scale, and the Personal Information Form, including the demographic characteristics of the participants. Independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA test, correlation, and regression analysis were applied to analyze the data collected online via Google Forms. According to the study results, preservice teachers' SWR attitudes and “ecocentric” approaches are high, while their “anthropocentric” approaches are at a medium level. Preservice teachers' SWR attitudes and “ecocentric” approaches showed significant differences according to the variables of gender, field of study, and participation in environmental activities. In this context, it was determined that female preservice teachers and preservice teachers who participated in environmental activities were more sensitive to recycling solid waste and protecting the environment. With the stepwise multiple regression analysis, it was concluded that preservice teachers' SWR attitudes were significant predictors of their “ecocentric” approaches. Conducting activities that will increase the environmental awareness of individuals in our universities, where future teachers are trained, and sharing the results of these activities can enhance individuals' belief that recycling waste and these activities are beneficial to the environment, and foster their “ecocentric” approaches.