DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2026.v14i05.018

Pages: 752-758

Background: Plastics are widely used due to their durability, affordability, and versatility; however, their indiscriminate use and unsafe disposal pose serious environmental and health hazards. Being non-biodegradable, plastics persist in the environment for centuries, polluting soil, water, and air. Burning plastic releases toxic gases, while chemical leaching contaminates food chains and groundwater. Children are frequent users of plastic bottles, toys, food wrappers, and stationery, yet they often lack adequate knowledge about the harmful effects and safe disposal of plastic. This unawareness increases their vulnerability and contributes to unsafe disposal practices. The Child-to-Child approach is a participatory educational method that empowers children to learn and share health and environmental information with their peers. It enhances learning, retention, and behavioural change, making it effective in promoting environmental awareness. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the Child-to-Child concept on knowledge and attitude regarding hazards of plastic use and its safe disposal among school children in Bagalkote. Objectives: (1) To assess knowledge regarding hazards of plastic use and its safe disposal among children. (2) To assess attitude regarding hazards of plastic use and its safe disposal among children. (3) To evaluate the effectiveness of child-to-child concept on knowledge and attitude regarding hazards of plastic use and its safe disposal among children. (4) To find out the association between pretest level of knowledge and attitude scores regarding hazards of plastic use and its safe disposal among children with their selected socio demographic variables. Methods: The research design selected for this study was quantitative quasi-experimental research design. The sample size comprises of 60 children aged 10–14 years from T.M. Bhagavati Educational Higher Primary English Medium School, Shirur, Bagalkot, selected th