An In-Depth Analysis of Environmental, Sustainability and Recycling Education in Primary Schools

This study critically examines the need for education to address global ecological and social issues by providing a thorough bibliometric map and a content analysis of academic research on environmental, sustainability, and recycling education at the primary school level. Early environmental education is essential for the development of the ecological literacy and responsible citizenship needed for a resilient and sustainable future. To do this, 147 studies published in the Web of Science database during the preceding fifteen years were located. Studies pertaining to primary education were carefully examined before being submitted for bibliometric and content analysis. It has been demonstrated that the research focuses more on increasing students' environmental attitudes, ecological consciousness, and recycling/waste reduction-related behaviors. The Journal of Environmental Education and Research is the most frequently cited and important source, indicating its critical importance in academic discourse and knowledge transmission. The results show that this discipline focuses on comprehensive sustainability frameworks rather than discrete ecological challenges and is largely characterized by key phrases like "environmental education" and "sustainable development." The paper provides an evidence-based structural overview of collaborative networks and methodological techniques, focused mostly on transdisciplinary and practical projects. These findings are crucial for detecting significant research gaps and emerging theme orientations in order to maximize global curriculum design. This mapping provides useful information for researchers, educators, and legislators who want to support sustainable education programs and accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the elementary school level.