This is the published version of the article: Buil, Pilar; Roger-Loppacher, Olga; Tintoré Espuny, Mireia. «Creating the habit of recycling in early childhood : a sustainable practice in Spain». Sus- tainability (Switzerland), Vol. 11 Núm. 22 (january 2019), p. 6393. DOI 10.3390/su11226393 This version is available at https://ddd.uab.cat/record/237641 under the terms of the license sustainability Article Creating the Habit of Recycling in Early Childhood: A Sustainable Practice in Spain Pilar Buil 1, * , Olga Roger-Loppacher 1 and Mireia Tintoré 2 1 School of Communication, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Immaculada 22, 08127 Barcelona, Spain; oroger@uic.es 2 Faculty of Education, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08127 Barcelona, Spain; mtintore@uic.es * Correspondence: pbuil@uic.es; Tel.: +34-93-2541800  Received: 19 October 2019; Accepted: 8 November 2019; Published: 14 November 2019  Abstract: Early childhood education on sustainability has been an issue of high relevance in the last decade. In Spain, many different efforts have been made to increase children’s knowledge, skills, and awareness related to sustainability issues. However, uncertainty about the effectiveness of education on sustainable development exists. This research reports on an exploratory study organized by the association that promotes aluminum packaging recycling in Spain (Arpal). Seven teachers were trained on sustainability in general and on aluminum packaging recycling in particular. These teachers defined and implemented a teaching unit with active learning activities that involved three preschools. Fifty-four children under 6 years of age, mainly 2 and 3 years old, along with their parents, participated in the teaching unit. Qualitative and quantitative methods (questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus groups) were carried out to assess the impact. The results proved that different partners, such as children, parents, teachers, managers, and associations, can work together with the common goal of improving education on sustainable development in early childhood, and all of them benefit from this collaboration. Moreover, this study confirmed that education on sustainability should be embedded in the daily routine of preschools. Furthermore, after the exploratory study, the teaching unit was implemented in 29 Andalusian preschools. Keywords: environmental children’s education; early childhood; sustainable development 1. Introduction Sustainable development is considered a relevant and critical issue in contemporary societies [1–5]. In the field of education, special attention has been paid to sustainability [4,6–8]. Knowing that sustainable development is often considered to be an integrated concept with three pillars (environmental, economic, and social [9,10]), this paper focuses on environmental issues. Moreover, the research concentrated on education for sustainable development in early childhood [11,12], and particularly on the habit of recycling (see Figure 1), as this is a practice necessary to avoid the depletion of natural resources. Furthermore, different studies have shown that children can engage with ideas related to the environment when the issues connect mightily with localized experiences, such as recycling. Education about the environment highlights the individual’s active participation and contribution in coping with environmental problems and making sustainable choices [13]. However, despite the efforts made to increase people’s awareness, skills, and sensitivity toward caring for the environment, there are doubts about the effectiveness of some of these programs and whether they contribute to sustainability [14]. It has been found that knowledge does not easily lead to a change in behavior [15,16]. On the other hand, it seems that these programs have overlooked children as relevant stakeholders [17] and that environmental education researchers did not direct their interest to very young children Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393; doi:10.3390/su11226393 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 2 of 19 until 2007 [18,19]. Besides, according to Iliopoulou [20], research studying very young children’s understanding of waste management has shown that most of them regard waste disposal and recycling as others’ responsibility, Sustainability and REVIEW 2019, 11, x FOR PEER only a minority in that study talked about action. 2 of 22 Figure Figure 1. Position of 1. Position of “recycling” “recycling” within within the the framework framework of of sustainable sustainable development. Source: authors. development. Source: authors. For all of these Education aboutreasons, the this study aimed environment to define and highlights the implement individual’s a teaching unit that develops active participation and the contribution in coping with environmental problems and making sustainable choices [13].aluminum habit of recycling in early childhood by focusing on a concrete sustainable practice: However, packaging despite therecycling. efforts made Aluminum waspeople’s to increase chosen for several reasons. awareness, skills, andFirstly, it is a material sensitivity that children toward caring for the are familiar with because they see and use it almost every day (foil wrapping environment, there are doubts about the effectiveness of some of these programs and whether they for sandwiches, yogurt lids, pouches, contribute etc.). Secondly, to sustainability [14].recycling It has beenaluminum found thatcreates knowledgesignificant does not environmental easily lead toadvantages, a change in such as reducing consumption of the mineral bauxite and behavior [15,16]. On the other hand, it seems that these programs have overlooked reducing energy consumption by 95% children as when manufacturing new products. Thirdly, aluminum can be recycled relevant stakeholders [17] and that environmental education researchers did not direct their interestindefinitely without losing its attributes. to very youngThe amount children of aluminum until 2007 [18,19]. packaging that is recycled Besides, according should be to Iliopoulou increased [20], researchin studying Spain in order to achieve very young the rates children’s established byofEuropean understanding regulations:has waste management 50%shown before that 2025mostand 60% before of them 2030 regard (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/852/oj) [21]. waste disposal and recycling as others’ responsibility, and only a minority in that study talked about action.Thus, this study had the following research objectives: 1. ForDetermine all of thesethe levelsthis reasons, of knowledge, study aimedawareness, to define and and behavior athat implement teachers, teaching unit children, that develops and parents have about sustainability in general and the recycling of aluminum the habit of recycling in early childhood by focusing on a concrete sustainable practice: aluminum packaging in particular; 2. Train packaging teachersAluminum recycling. to design a wasteaching chosenunit forthat educates several children reasons. about Firstly, it issustainability a material thatinchildren general and the recycling of aluminum packaging in particular; and are familiar with because they see and use it almost every day (foil wrapping for sandwiches, yogurt lids, 3. Assess the pouches, effectiveness etc.). Secondly, of the aluminum recycling aluminum packaging createsrecycling significantprogram for teachers, environmental children, advantages, parents, such as and preschools. reducing consumption of the mineral bauxite and reducing energy consumption by 95% when manufacturingour We approached new research questions products. according Thirdly, aluminum to this sequence. can be recycled First, our purpose indefinitely was to losing without assess managers’ willingness to participate in educational programs to promote its attributes. The amount of aluminum packaging that is recycled should be increased in Spain in sustainability to children. Second, order to through achieve thethe implementation rates establishedofbyworkshops, we trained teachers European regulations: 50% beforeabout sustainability 2025 in general and 60% before 2030 and the recycling of aluminum packaging (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/852/oj) [21]. in particular. According to Varela-Losada, teachers play a key role, Thus, especially given had this study the transition the followingtoward schools research and communities committed to the environment objectives: and people [22]. Third, seven teachers developed 1. Determine the levels of knowledge, awareness, and implemented and behavior a teaching unit to involve that teachers, children children, and and families in recycling activities. parents have about sustainability in general and the recycling of aluminum packaging in particular; This paper 2. Train is organized teachers to design asafollows: teaching first, we present unit that educatesthe framing children usedsustainability about to conceptualize early in general education on sustainability. Then, we describe and the recycling of aluminum packaging in particular; and the methodology. The results are presented afterwards. Finally, we engage 3. Assess in a more in-depth the effectiveness of thediscussion, aluminumproviding packagingsome concluding recycling program remarks and implications for teachers, children, for future research. parents, and preschools. We approached our research questions according to this sequence. First, our purpose was to assess managers’ willingness to participate in educational programs to promote sustainability to children. Second, through the implementation of workshops, we trained teachers about sustainability in general and the recycling of aluminum packaging in particular. According to Varela-Losada, teachers play a key role, especially given the transition toward schools and communities committed to the environment and people [22]. Third, seven teachers developed and implemented a teaching Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 3 of 19 2. Education for Sustainable Development in Early Childhood The application of education for sustainability practices in early childhood has progressed slowly [23]. While it is true that sustainable development deals with abstract and complex relationships that are especially difficult for children [24], many authors have stressed the importance of environmental education, and some say that education in environmental sustainability should start in childhood [18,25–29]. In addition, early childhood education could play an essential role in sustainable practice, as it is considered to be a period of time when children’s main attitudes and values are established for the first time [27,30–33]. According to Davis [12], the experiences provided for young children are influential to their present and future beliefs, values, well-being, and individual and social development. Furthermore, children represent the interface between current and future generations [17]. In terms of early childhood sustainability education, attention to experiential learning is central and lies at the heart of early childhood education [33]. Learning through games and active exploration of the environment has been considered a characteristic of early learning [34]. Besides, cooperation between families and preschools appears to be a critical element when trying to obtain long-term benefits [35]. MacDonald [36] has highlighted that early childhood sustainability education should be promoted through active, collaborative, project-based methods rooted in self, family, school, and community. Chauhan, Rama Das, Haigh, and Rita [37] pointed out that pro-sustainability orientation includes changing habits and making sustainable choices as a matter of daily routine. Additionally, there is room in the preschool setting to build connections with and participate in the community around them and to take advantage of physical and social resources in the district. This view is incorporated within place-based education, in which children learn to understand, value, and care for the heritage, culture, and landscape of the place where they live. As Luff points out [33] (p. 453) (after several studies), “Children who have opportunities to explore, connect with, and appreciate the places where they live develop a sense of care for self, others, and the environment. This can lead to work on local social and environmental projects and growing appreciation of wider national and global issues.” In summary, the literature recognizes the necessity of organizing experiences in early childhood environmental education that allow for maximum interaction and communication between teachers, children, and their families [38]. From the point of view of teaching, following Loubser et al., “The implementation of environmental education programs and activities conducted by teachers for their own students would seem advantageous in ensuring both continuity and the positive impacts of environmental education programs on school students, as teachers are familiar with the curricula and the time availability of students” [14] (p. 1165). Furthermore, it was found that to implement environmental education, it is necessary not only that teachers know how to educate young children, but also that they know general concepts of sustainability [38]. Therefore, governments and international organizations must provide the means for this to happen [35]. Moreover, according to Hopkins and McKeown [39], it is necessary that nonformal organizations and the private sector support formal education to ensure effectiveness in sustainable living. In this study, this is the role of the association that promotes aluminum packaging recycling in Spain (Arpal). Arpal provides people as facilitators and program developers. Experts from Arpal can also provide additional knowledge and active methodology so that teachers become sustainability leaders within their schools. According to Kennelly, Taylor, and Maxwell [40], when values and beliefs about the issues associated with sustainability are strong, they become part of the teacher’s identity and provide a personal motivation to incorporate those values into their teaching. All of the ideas and knowledge obtained from a review of the literature were considered in the research that follows. 3. Materials and Methods The goal of this research was to study whether the teaching unit could contribute to fostering recycling habits in early childhood. As has been said before, usually verbal persuasion is not enough to Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 4 of 19 encourage children to act positively to protect the environment [41]. Moreover, it seems that one of the most crucial challenges in education for sustainable development is didactic [42]. Thus the researchers thought that a teaching unit with active learning activities that develop under multiple skills could have a better impact on children’s behavior by focusing on a concrete sustainable practice: aluminum packaging recycling. The teaching unit was designed by seven teachers that were then responsible for the implementation of a pilot test developed in two preschools in Córdoba and one in Seville (with an average of 18 children in each preschool) to assess its efficacy. The teachers belonged to the association Supla (http://suplasl.es), which promotes social and solidarity economy. The research took place with the collaboration of Arpal, which was in charge of training teachers in aluminum packaging recycling issues and of the supervision of technical issues related to the content of aluminum. On the other hand, the impact that the teaching unit had on the preschools and the families was also evaluated. After this exploratory research, the teaching unit was implemented in 29 Andalusian preschools, with a total of 1300 children participating in the study. 3.1. Phases and Research Tools 3.1.1. Diagnosis The goal of the first phase was to find out the level of knowledge, awareness, and behavior that children under 6 years old (mainly 2 and 3 years old), parents, and teachers had before the program. For the teachers, a questionnaire was prepared to assess three parameters: four questions tested knowledge about recycling and about aluminum packaging, three about awareness, and two about behavior. This questionnaire was answered before the training that Arpal offered to teachers in November 2017. The survey questions included the following: Q1: Do you know what material goes into recycling containers that are green, yellow, and blue? Q2: Can you mention packaging made of aluminum? Q3: Do you know in which container aluminum packaging must be placed in order to be recycled? Q4: How important do you consider your participation in aluminum packaging recycling to be? Q5: Why do you consider your participation in aluminum packaging recycling important (or not)? Q6: Who benefits if you recycle aluminum packaging? Q7: Do you recycle some of the following materials at home or in the workplace: beverage cans, bricks, aluminum packaging, foil paper, or other packaging made of metal? Q8: Do you teach about waste recycling in the classroom? Q9: Have you ever heard about a circular economy? To determine children’s knowledge, teachers tested five parameters at the beginning of the teaching unit: knowledge of the containers for recycling, attitudes toward recycling, creativity when working with recycled material, the classification of packaging before recycling, and knowledge about where aluminum packaging must be placed in order to be recycled. They retested the same parameters at the end of the teaching unit. Concerning parents, the research of Ballantyne, Fien, and Packer [43] was followed. In that study, some parents announced that talking about environmental topics can help modify children’s attitudes and behaviors. In addition, Grodziéska-Jurezask et al. [44] showed that the behaviors of parents have a significant impact on children’s knowledge of and attitudes toward the environment. For these reasons, the preschool sent a letter to the parents informing them about the teaching unit. Families were invited to participate in the activities with their children and were asked to reinforce recycling habits at home. A questionnaire was also distributed among the parents that participated in the program as volunteers. The survey questionnaire had eight questions: the first seven were the same that were used in the questionnaire to teachers. Question number eight asked, “Do you teach about waste recycling to your Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 5 of 19 child?” Question number nine was deleted. Moreover, parents also received an observation sheet to share information about their children’s attitudes at home during the exploratory study. 3.1.2. Implementation First, a teaching unit about aluminum packaging recycling for children under 6 years old was developed by the teachers (February to May 2018). Once the draft was completed, researchers and Arpal reviewed it and made the required adjustments. Second, a pilot test of the teaching unit was developed over two weeks in three Supla preschools in Córdoba and Seville, with 54 children participating in total (June 2018). The sample was a directed one and was not probabilistic, meaning that it was created depending on the availability of the children. Another factor considered was parents’ willingness to have their children attend the teaching unit. Table 1 shows the learning activities of the teaching unit. Table 1. Activities of the teaching unit. Source: authors. Day Active Learning Strategies Learning Activities Brainstorming 1 Initial activity: talking about recycling in general Promoting ideas Assembly Knowledge activity and awareness: talking about colors of containers for recycling and what to throw in each one. Discussions within the class 2 Creation of a “Recycling Corner” with boxes and colors. Knowledge through action See Figure A1. Selecting different packaging and throwing it in the right 3 Classification workshop container. See Figure A2. Presenting “Wizard of Oz” story; drawing a metal figure and Creative workshop 4 sticking aluminum in it. See Figure A3. Interacting with their friends Selecting aluminum and metal packaging with a magnet. 5 Experimentation workshop See Figure A4. Out-of-class activities: seeing containers in the street and Experiential visit in collaboration 6 throwing aluminum packaging in the yellow container. with parents Creating a flowerpot with aluminum packaging, adding 7 Creative and experimentation workshop seeds, and watering it. See Figure A5. Painting and drawing on aluminum foil with different tools 8 Art and experimentation workshop (sponge, roller, and brush). See Figure A6. Interacting with their teacher and friends: seeing and Sensory workshop (observation, 9 touching bauxite stone. manipulation, etc.). Designing a circuit made of aluminum packaging and other Dramatization 10 materials such as balls, strings, etc.; imitating characters of Creative and psychomotor workshop “Wizard of Oz” story. See Figure A7. Out-of-class activity: visit to the recycling center in Sadeco. Experiential visit in collaboration 11 See Figure A8. with parents Creation Creating a “hungry hungry hippos” toy and throwing balls 12 Gamification made of aluminum packaging. Playing 13 Designing a collar made of aluminum caps. Art workshop Interacting with their teacher and friends: puppet show 14 Dramatization about “Wizard of Oz” story. Final activity: repeating the initial activities to assess the Brainstorming 15 learning process. Assembly 3.1.3. Assessment The current study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative methods (a questionnaire and statistical analysis) were used to assess teachers’ and parents’ levels of knowledge, awareness, and actions regarding recycling before and after the program. The qualitative methods (collecting and analyzing data from observations, focus groups, and in-depth interviews) were used to Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 6 of 19 assess changes in the children’s behavior, the impact that the program had in the preschools, and a general evaluation of what the teachers and families made of the whole program according to their previous expectations. Accordingly, an assessment was carried out at four levels: teachers, children, families, and preschool. First, researchers evaluated the knowledge that teachers had before and after the training on aluminum packaging (November 2017). Second, the teaching unit included tools to evaluate knowledge, awareness, and actions regarding recycling in children. Third, and concerning parents, pre- and post-questionnaires were distributed among them to discover their level of knowledge about recycling, their awareness, and their behavior. Due to the small number of post-questionnaires, an in-depth interview was also conducted in order to assess parents’ attitudes toward the experience and children’s attitudes toward recycling at home. According to Seidman, “In-depth interviewing’s strength is that through it we can come to understand the details of people’s experience from their point of view” [45] (p. 112). Finally, for a more in-depth picture of the implementation of the teaching unit and how it impacted the education community, a focus group was carried out with both teaching and nonteaching staff from the preschool at the end of the activity. As a result, researchers could gain a better understanding of how the new activity was accepted; the degree of collaboration within the education community, parents, and children; or changes that were introduced. 3.2. Methodology Used in the Statistical Analysis On the basis of the data obtained in the surveys carried out with parents and teachers, the results were analyzed and translated. For this, a series of steps was followed. First, the information obtained was classified into two groups: information collected prior to the training and information obtained once the recycling program had already taken place. Subsequently, each of these groups was divided into responses from parents of students and responses from the teachers at the preschools. Once all the information was organized, each of the questions and the corresponding answers were addressed to tabulate the answers obtained in each question. The biggest difficulty encountered in this step was to establish a criterion to group the wide variety of responses to some open questions (e.g., “Do you know about aluminum packaging?”) into more concrete values so that the table, the graphs, and the subsequent results were as simple and clear as possible. On the other hand, the questions that required a specific response (e.g., “value the importance of recycling between 0 and 10”) were much easier to tabulate, since there was no need to interpret or establish a subjective criterion to classify the different responses. Once each of the questions and their corresponding answers were tabulated, the results of the tables (the number of people choosing a certain answer) were transformed into percentages in order to translate them into graphs. Finally, with the results of the tables already in percentages, the graphs were made. Once all of the tables and their corresponding graphs were finished, the statistical analysis was completed. In summary, Table 2 describes all of the steps of the research, the groups involved, and the dates and activities used: Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 7 of 19 Table 2. Steps, groups involved, dates, and techniques that were used in the research. Source: authors. Steps Groups Involved Date Actions Meetings Cooperation agreement and Arpal association June 2017 Brainstorming working plan Supla association September–October 2017 Commitment Lecture and active session Seven teachers from Córdoba Training of teachers November 2017 about aluminum packaging and Seville and Arpal and its recyclability Pre- and post-assessment of Quantitative: knowledge, awareness, and Seven teachers November 2017 Questionnaire pre- and actions regarding recycling post-training Design of a teaching unit 15 active learning activities about aluminum packaging Teachers and Arpal February–May 2018 involving children, volunteer recycling for children under 6 parents, and the neighborhood years old Find out the pre-level of Parents of 54 children in Quantitative: pre-activity knowledge, awareness, and 1–10 June 2018 Córdoba and Seville questionnaire actions regarding recycling Two preschools in Córdoba, one in Seville (54 children in Active learning fostering total): Centro de Ed Inf Supli Implementation of the multiple intelligences Sur (Córdoba), Centro de Ed 11–22 June 2018 teaching unit in a pilot test Observation Inf Supli Levante (Córdoba), Parents’ participation and Centro de Ed Inf Supli Sevilla (Seville) Assessment of the pilot test Observations of Review of the initial teaching teachers/development of Seven teachers 23 June–7 July 2018 unit and realization of the final activities/observations from teaching unit parents Assessment of how the Quantitative: Parents of 54 children in 23 June–7 July 2018 program affected the post-questionnaires and Córdoba and Seville 9 July 2018 whole family in-depth interview Final assessment of the Qualitative: program and its impact on the Teachers and managers 10 July 2018 focus group preschool community 29 preschools in Córdoba and Implementation of the final 7 July 2018 to the end of Active learning fostering the Cádiz region (1300 teaching unit the month multiple intelligences children) The research protocol was submitted for consideration, comment, and approval to the managers of the preschool. Moreover, each family was adequately informed of the aims, the methods, any possible conflicts of interest, the institutional affiliations of the researchers, the anticipated benefits of the study and the discomfort it may entail, and any other relevant aspects of the study. All subjects gave their informed consent for inclusion before they participated in the study. 4. Results 4.1. Results of the Qualitative Assessment 4.1.1. Teachers’ Observations All teachers agreed that the teaching unit strongly motivated the children and that they performed the activities with great interest and curiosity. In spite of the young age of the children (under 6 years old and mainly 2 and 3 years old), they understood perfectly how to sort material according to a code and to distinguish aluminum from other materials. A deeper analysis of the activities revealed that all of them were very creative when they made handicrafts with recycled material. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 8 of 19 4.1.2. Focus Group with Teachers The general opinion about the experience was very positive, and all teachers agreed that the teaching unit was very useful in demonstrating how and why to recycle aluminum packaging, not only for the children but also for the teachers and families. Furthermore, establishing a recycling culture in the preschool was seen as important: all of the teachers wanted to have a permanent “Recycling Corner” at the preschools. They also proposed the development of a teaching unit with all of the children of the preschool throughout the academic year. In addition, both the teachers and the director of Supla (the association that manages the preschools) were convinced that the teaching unit increased the reputation of the preschools among parents, relatives, and neighbors. All attendees highlighted the benefits of collaboration between the preschools and the recycling association Arpal. It was a win–win activity, and teachers pointed out that while working with Arpal, they could see that their teaching unit was part of a bigger project that covers the promotion of aluminum packaging recycling in all of Spain, which for them was very motivating. Teachers highlighted that the children were very interested in all of the activities involved in the teaching unit. Some of the activities worked particularly well, such as the selection of packaging and asking the children to throw the packaging in the right container or the visit to the recycling center. Other activities, such as playing with the magnet to see what packaging gets stuck to it, or the necklace that children made with coffee caps, worked in one preschool but not in others. Teachers suggested some revisions to the teaching unit. First, in terms of the best time to carry it out, May and June are not ideal months due to the hot weather in this part of Spain and the tiredness of children and teachers. After a short discussion, and taking into consideration that it is a long teaching unit (at least 15 days), teachers agreed that the best option would be to develop it during the greater part of the academic year, perhaps once per week. Secondly, they wanted to change the activity about the mineral bauxite because the children were bored, so a more interactive activity would be a better option. Third, and considering that some children still do not recognize colors at that age, there is a need to adapt the activities that talk about the color of the container in which to throw aluminum packaging. Despite that fact, small children paid attention to the drawings of the containers in order to learn which one was the right one. On the other hand, all of the teachers agreed that this activity was also very useful in teaching the color yellow. Fourth, this was a great chance to spread the message about recycling in the neighborhood (with only a slight change to some of the activities). Teachers proposed that when children go to throw aluminum packaging in the yellow container, they could carry messages about recycling that everybody could see, or they could wear costumes about this subject. In addition, they could carry messages inviting neighbors to use the recycling containers. 4.1.3. In-Depth Interviews with Parents During an interview with one family, it was highlighted that children are now aware of recycling and about the containers in the street: “At home, we recycled before the activity and our son (3 years old) didn’t pay attention to that or to the containers in the street. During and after the activity he was always asking about where he can throw different packaging—not only aluminum—and now he notices the containers in the street,” explained the mother. Parents added that they had noticed a significant change in their children regarding the recycling process. Parents noticed that their children were asking questions about where they could recycle materials even though they knew the answer (to reinforce knowledge). Besides that, and during the time that the activity was developed, children explained at home what they had done each day concerning the teaching unit on aluminum packaging recycling. Furthermore, parents believed that the activities of the teaching unit not only taught children to recycle, but also reinforced their ability to work in a group and act as a complement to the children’s relationship with the environment. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 9 of 19 Another interesting issue was that, during the interview, parents asked questions about recycling that had nothing to do with the teaching unit, such as whether they have to wash aluminum packaging before throwing it into the yellow container or where to recycle some items. Due to that fact, the researchers believe that the parents were concerned about recycling and about “doing things in the right way”. Parents were sure that the teaching unit is an excellent idea for showing children how to recycle at early ages, but they believed that children’s awareness should be continuous, rather than presented as a compulsory subject at the preschool. They proposed that the activities could last all academic year and that the preschool should be provided with a permanent “Recycling Corner”. 4.2. Results of the Quantitative Assessment 4.2.1. Teachers Teachers dramatically improved their knowledge of aluminum packaging recycling and, following the training, showed a strong determination to take aluminum packaging to the yellow container to recycle it. First, prior to the training, teachers could not identify examples of aluminum packaging other than beverage cans (only 16.67% of answers were correct). After the training, the number of correct answers increased dramatically, reaching 83.33%. Second, and regarding knowledge about recycling, the majority of teachers recognized that aluminum packaging should be taken to a yellow container (83.33%). After the training, all of them answered correctly. Third, all teachers gained awareness and personal responsibility about aluminum packaging recycling. Therefore, they also perceived more immediate personal benefits after the training, besides the global advantage concerning the planet in general (see Figure 2). Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 22 Who benefits if you recycle aluminium packaging? 100 100,00 100,00 90 80 Percentage of people 70 66,67 66,67 66,67 60 50 Before program 50,00 50,00 50,00 After program 40 30 20 10 0 Me personally Our city (air, buildings, Our country (forests, seas, The planet Others etc.) etc.) Answers Figure Figure 2. Answer 2. Answer toquestion, to the the question, “Who“Who benefits benefits if youifrecycle you recycle aluminum aluminum packaging?” packaging?” Finally,after Finally, afterthe thetraining, training, all all teachers teachers gave gaveassurances assurancesthat thatthey willwill they recycle aluminum recycle packaging aluminum (see Figure packaging (see 3). They Figure 3). will Theycommit themselves will commit themselvesto sustainability to sustainabilityteaching teachingin in order tomotivate order to motivate their their students (see Figure 4). Thus, teachers will try to make comments daily about waste recycling in the students (see Figure 4). Thus, teachers will try to make comments daily about waste recycling in classroom, andand the classroom, they willwill they develop develop activities toto activities continue continueearly earlyeducation educationon on sustainability. sustainability. Do you recycle some of the following material at home or in workplace? 100 100,00 100,00 100,00 100,00 100,00 90 f people that DO recycle 80 70 type of material 60 Before program 50 50,00 50,00 After program Figure 2. Answer to the question, “Who benefits if you recycle aluminum packaging?” Finally, after the training, all teachers gave assurances that they will recycle aluminum packaging (see Figure 3). They will commit themselves to sustainability teaching in order to motivate their students Sustainability 2019,(see Figure 4). Thus, teachers will try to make comments daily about waste recycling 11, 6393 10 of 19 in the classroom, and they will develop activities to continue early education on sustainability. Do you recycle some of the following material at home or in workplace? 100 100,00 100,00 100,00 100,00 100,00 90 Percentage of people that DO recycle 80 70 any type of material 60 Before program 50 50,00 50,00 After program 40 30 33,33 33,33 20 16,67 10 0 Cans Tetra briks Aluminium containers Aluminium foil Other metallic containers Materials Figure 3. Answer to the question, “Do you recycle some of the following materials at home or in the Figure 3. Answer to the question, “Do you recycle some of the following materials at home or in the workplace?” Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 22 workplace?” Do you teach about waste recycle in the classroom? 100 100,00 90 80 Percentage of people 70 66,67 60 Before program 50 After program 40 30 20 16,67 16,67 10 0,00 0,00 0 YES NO NO ANSWER Answers Figure 4. Answer to the question, “Do you teach about waste recycling in the classroom?” 4.2.2. Parents Figure 4. Answer to the question, “Do you teach about waste recycling in the classroom?” The results of the study indicated that parents were influenced by the preschool, the teachers, and 4.2.2. Parents most of all their children. The preschools sent a letter to the parents informing them about the teaching The unit, and results they alsoof the study asked indicated the parents that parents to answer were influenced a questionnaire beforebyand theafter preschool, the teachers, the program. and most The of all their analysis quantitative children.of The preschools these sent a letter questionnaires to thethat showed parents informingofthem the influence about the the project was very positive in the sense that parents gained both more knowledge of the subject and the program. teaching unit, and they also asked the parents to answer a questionnaire before and after the motivation The quantitative analysis of these questionnaires showed that the influence of the project was to recycle. First, there was a dramatic increase in the knowledge of flexible and semirigid aluminum very positive in the sense that parents gained both more knowledge of the subject and the motivation packaging after the conclusion of the program (from 22.58% to 66.67%), and all of the participants gave to recycle. First, there was a dramatic increase in the knowledge of flexible and semirigid aluminum at least one correct answer (see Figure 5). packaging after the conclusion of the program (from 22.58% to 66.67%), and all of the participants gave at least one correct answer (see Figure 5). Could you mention packaging made of aluminium? 70 66,67 66,67 60 50 51,61 entage of people 40 Before 30 program After program teaching unit, and they also asked the parents to answer a questionnaire before and after the program. The quantitative analysis of these questionnaires showed that the influence of the project was very positive in the sense that parents gained both more knowledge of the subject and the motivation to recycle. First, there was a dramatic increase in the knowledge of flexible and semirigid aluminum packaging Sustainability after 2019, the conclusion of the program (from 22.58% to 66.67%), and all of the participants 11, 6393 11 of 19 gave at least one correct answer (see Figure 5). Could you mention packaging made of aluminium? 70 66,67 66,67 60 50 51,61 Percentage of people 40 Before 30 program After program 20 22,58 22,22 22,58 10 12,90 3,23 3,23 0 Tetra Brik Cans (soft drinks, Semi-rigid and Not specified - - canned food, etc.) flexible aluminium packaging YES NO NO ANSWER Answers Figure Figure 5.5.Answer Answertotothe thequestion, question, “Could “Could you you mention mentionpackaging packagingmade madeofofaluminum?”. aluminum?”. Second, Second, a greatmajority a great majorityofofthe theparents parents (90%) had had previous previousknowledge knowledgeofofthe container the in in container which which aluminum aluminum packagingmust packaging mustbebeplaced placedin inorder order to be recycled. recycled.After Afterthe theprogram, program,allall ofof them answered them answered this this correctly. Sustainability correctly. 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 13 of 22 Third, researchers noticed that the answers showed an increase in the level of importance given Third, researchers noticed that the answers showed an increase in the level of importance given to the recycling process through their participation (see Figure 6). In addition, the parents indicated to the recycling process through their participation (see Figure 6). In addition, the parents indicated that after the program they taught their children how to recycle (100%). They would talk about waste that after the program they taught their children how to recycle (100%). They would talk about waste recycling recycling atat home, home,ask asktheir theirchildren children to to throw throw the waste in the waste inthe theright rightbin binatathome, home,and andgogo with with their their children to the containers as a daily routine. children to the containers as a daily routine. How important do you consider your participation in aluminium packaging recycling? 70 61,29 60 55,56 Percentage of people 50 44,44 40 Before program 30 After program 20 12,90 9,68 10 6,45 3,23 3,23 3,23 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Level of importance Figure Figure 6. 6. Answertotothe Answer thequestion, question,“How “How important important do do you you consider consideryour yourparticipation participationinin aluminum aluminum packaging recycling to packaging recycling to be?”be?” Fourth, Fourth, parents parents considered considered thethe more more immediate immediate benefits benefits of recycling, of recycling, switching switching fromfrom “the “the planet” planet” to “our city” or “me personally” (see Figure 7). This aspect could convince them to “our city” or “me personally” (see Figure 7). This aspect could convince them to recycle and help to recycle and help establish establish a sustainability a sustainability culture, culture, as can as can be seen be seen8,inwhere in Figure Figureit8,iswhere shownitclearly is shown clearly that that the number of the number parents andof parents the and that materials the materials thatincreased, they recycle they recycle increased, primarily primarily in terms in terms ofsemirigid of aluminum aluminum and semirigid and flexible packaging (containers), aluminum foil, and other flexible packaging (containers), aluminum foil, and other packaging made of metal. packaging made of metal. Who benefits if you recycle aluminium packaging? 100 90 90,32 80 le 77,78 77,78 Fourth, parents considered the more immediate benefits of recycling, switching from “the planet” to “our city” or “me personally” (see Figure 7). This aspect could convince them to recycle and help establish a sustainability culture, as can be seen in Figure 8, where it is shown clearly that the number of parents and the materials that they recycle increased, primarily in terms of aluminum semirigid2019, Sustainability and11, flexible 6393 packaging (containers), aluminum foil, and other packaging made of metal. 12 of 19 Who benefits if you recycle aluminium packaging? 100 90 90,32 80 Percentage of people 77,78 77,78 70 60 50 55,56 54,84 55,56 Before program 40 After program 41,94 30 32,26 20 10 6,45 0,00 0 Me personally Our city (air, buildings, Our country (forests, seas, The planet Others etc.) etc.) Answers Figure Figure Sustainability 2019, 7. 7. 11, Answer xAnswer FOR totoREVIEW PEER thequestion, the question, “Who “Who benefits benefits ifif you yourecycle recyclealuminum aluminumpackaging?” packaging?” 14 of 22 Do you recycle some of the following material at home or in workplace? 100 100,00 100,00 90 88,89 90,32 88,89 88,89 Percentage of people that DO recycle 80 77,42 70 any type of material 60 58,06 Before program 50 After program 40 38,71 38,71 30 20 10 0 Cans Tetra briks Aluminium containers Aluminium foil Other metallic containers Materials Figure Figure 8. 8. Answertotothe Answer thequestion, question,“Do “Do you you recycle some some of ofthe thefollowing followingmaterials materialsatat home or or home in in thethe workplace?” workplace?” Finally, Finally, after after theimplementation the implementationof ofthe the teaching teaching unit, unit, all allparents parentsanswered answeredthat they that would they teach would teach their children to recycle. their children to recycle. 5. 5. Conclusions Conclusions Regarding Regarding thethe aimaim of study, of this this study, whichwhich was to was definetoand define and implement implement a teachingaunit teaching unit on on sustainability sustainability for early childhood education by focusing on concrete sustainable for early childhood education by focusing on concrete sustainable practices (aluminum packaging practices (aluminum packagingthe recycling), recycling), the results results allowed theallowed the researchers researchers to declaretothat declare that the activities the activities achieved achieved very very positive positive results, both with the children and with all of the agents who contributed results, both with the children and with all of the agents who contributed to the program. In fact,to the program. In all fact, all parties parties have involved involved nowhave nowabout learned learned about aluminum aluminum packagingpackaging recycling, recycling, make make use useand of it, of it, areand very are very motivated to continue recycling. motivated to continue recycling. This study found that different partners, such as teachers, children, parents, preschools, and This study found that different partners, such as teachers, children, parents, preschools, and associations, can work together with the common goal of developing a sustainable practice, and all associations, can work together with the common goal of developing a sustainable practice, and all of of them benefit from this collaboration. The researchers would like to highlight that the collaboration them benefit from this collaboration. The researchers would like to highlight that the collaboration of an of an industrial association (Arpal) with the educational community can achieve good results in industrial workingassociation for a more (Arpal) withworld, sustainable the educational and that eachcommunity canbenefit of them can achieve good from theresults in working knowledge, skills,for a more sustainable world, and practices of the other. and that each of them can benefit from the knowledge, skills, and practices of the other. In addition, this study illustrates the impact that early childhood education on environmental issues can have on children, families, and the broader community, as proposed by Davis [12]. The teaching unit developed became the core value upon which all teaching was based, and this view influenced the preschool center, the children, and the families. The preschools gained an image of being “environmentally friendly” thanks to the activity and because they now have a permanent “Recycling Corner”. In addition, preschools have now included the teaching unit in their activities with new children each year. Parents now have a greater feeling of belonging to the community and Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 13 of 19 In addition, this study illustrates the impact that early childhood education on environmental issues can have on children, families, and the broader community, as proposed by Davis [12]. The teaching unit developed became the core value upon which all teaching was based, and this view influenced the preschool center, the children, and the families. The preschools gained an image of being “environmentally friendly” thanks to the activity and because they now have a permanent “Recycling Corner”. In addition, preschools have now included the teaching unit in their activities with new children each year. Parents now have a greater feeling of belonging to the community and being more involved in the education of their children. Teachers are now very motivated to continue teaching recycling and to create new materials and activities for children. In summary, education on sustainable development in early childhood encourages the importance of recognizing the interdependency of adults and children in addressing environmental challenges [46]. This study showed the success of collaborations, improved relationships within the preschool community, and increased parents’ involvement. At the same time, the research affected both the teaching and learning process: the quality of teaching improved via the introduction of innovative methodologies and activities [47,48], and these methodologies increased the participation of children. It seems that one feature of the success of the program was related to active learning. In addition, the teachers produced curricular materials related to sustainability that can be used in other educational settings, which expanded the habit of recycling in a snowball process to other preschools and communities. In this sense, the teaching unit has been incorporated into the syllabus of the 3 centers that performed the pilot test and in the 29 others that implemented it after the research. Finally, this study points out the necessity of continuing to train teachers in sustainability, as Aznar et al. have pointed out [49,50]. This study confirms that teachers appreciate collaboration (e.g., providing them with knowledge and materials) that will help them to design activities to educate young children on sustainability in Spain. In this sense, this study illustrates the barriers that still exist between teachers and staff to implementing early childhood education on sustainability, such as time or resources. As education on sustainability in early childhood teacher education is sometimes marginalized in favor of primary and secondary teacher education [48], the researchers suggest dedicating time and effort to early childhood teacher training on environmental and sustainability issues. Concerning parental barriers, this study confirmed that parents discover their children as agents of change for sustainability, so it is necessary to make them more aware of this role. In conclusion, this study shows that a broad cultural shift has occurred toward sustainability in preschools, families, and children, and that it is still necessary to develop environmental education programs directed toward very young children (under 6 years old). On the other hand, this study had some limitations, and some features of the early childhood sustainable education program merit further investigation. First, due to time limits and the characteristics of the material, the research focused on only one environmental topic: the recycling of aluminum packaging. Future research could be conducted focusing on further environmental topics. Second, the study focused primarily on the opinions, perceptions, and actions of the teachers, the children, and their parents, so this study did not involve other voices from the community directly in the data. Finally, while the sustainable practices achieved very positive results, this conclusion does not mean that the effects will last forever, and the researchers think that it is necessary to continue with the efforts, applying similar actions every academic year. Author Contributions: This paper is the result of teamwork. P.B., O.R.-L., and M.T. conceived of the research. O.R.-L. designed the methodology and processed the data. P.B., O.R.-L., and M.T. analyzed the data. P.B., O.R.-L., and M.T. discussed the results. P.B. wrote the original draft preparation. P.B., O.R.-L., and M.T. wrote the final version. Funding: This research received no external funding. Acknowledgments: The authors are grateful to the teachers, students, and parents who participated in this study. The authors would also like to thank ARPAL (the association that promotes aluminum packaging recycling in Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 14 of 19 Spain) and SUPLA Educational Services, who helped with the development of the program. We would also like to thank Frederic Marimon and research assistant José Schöder for their collaboration. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 16 of 22 Appendix A Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 16 of 22 Figure A1. Creation of a “Recycling Corner”. Figure A1. Creation of a “Recycling Corner”. Figure Figure A2. Selecting Selecting different different packaging and throwing it in the right container. container. Figure A2. Selecting different packaging and throwing it in the right container. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 15 of 19 Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 17 of 22 Figure Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR A3. PEERA3. Figure Drawing Drawing aa metal REVIEW figure and metal figure and sticking sticking aluminum aluminum on on it. it. 18 of 22 Figure A4. Selecting aluminum and metal packaging with a magnet. Figure A4. Selecting aluminum and metal packaging with a magnet. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6393 16 of 19 Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 19 of 22 Figure Sustainability A5.x FOR 2019, 11, Creating PEERaREVIEW Creating flowerpot with aluminum packaging, adding seeds, and watering it. 19 of 22 Figure A6. Painting and drawing on aluminum foil with different tools. Figure A6. Painting Painting and and drawing drawing on aluminum foil with different tools. Figure A7. Designing Figure A7. 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