Raising Students’ Awareness of Their Role in Environmental Cleanliness and Management Through the Use of Recycled Waste at School

Abstract

Limited waste-management literacy and inconsistent waste-sorting habits remain challenges in elementary schools. This community service program aimed to strengthen students’ knowledge, participation, and environmentally responsible behavior through hands-on projects using recycled materials. Conducted at SDN Panaikang 1 Makassar from April to May 2026, the program involved 60 students in grades 4-6. A Participatory Action Research approach was applied through three stages: education on environmental cleanliness and the reduce, reuse, and recycle principles; demonstrations and group practice in producing flowerpots and relief maps from discarded materials; and evaluation and follow-up. Data were collected using a 10-item pre-test and post-test, facilitator observation sheets, and interviews with five classroom teachers. The data were analyzed descriptively using mean scores, percentages, and normalized gain. The results showed a 92% attendance rate and 90% active participation. The mean test score increased from 42.3 to 78.6, with an N-gain of 0.63 in the moderate category, while 80% of students achieved the minimum mastery score of 70. During the two-week follow-up, 62% of students voluntarily collected litter and 35% independently separated plastic from organic waste. The resulting flowerpots were used for school landscaping, while the relief maps served as instructional media. These findings indicate that integrating environmental education with hands-on recycling projects can improve students’ short-term knowledge and participation in school waste management. Longer-term monitoring and continued teacher guidance are required to determine whether these behavioral changes are sustained.