Introduction: When a Community Project Opened Our Eyes

Until we began our Community Engagement Project on e-waste, most of us had only a vague understanding of the problem, something we had heard about in passing but never truly paused to think about. Working on this topic pushed us to look beyond the screens and devices we use every day and confront a crisis that silently grows with every discarded charger, broken earphone, or forgotten mobile phone.

The turning point came when one of our CEP mentors introduced us to the reality of Mumbai’s Deonar Dumpyard—a place we had only heard of but never imagined in such stark detail. Known as one of the oldest and largest dumping grounds in the city, Deonar is not just a landfill; it is a living reminder of what careless disposal looks like when it piles up for decades. Learning about how mountains of mixed waste—including electronics—slowly release toxic fumes and chemicals made us realise that e-waste is not an abstract environmental issue. It is happening here, in our own city, affecting real people and real ecosystems.

This project, and the stories shared by our mentors, pushed us to reflect deeply. We began to see e-waste not just as “broken gadgets,” but as a crisis that demands awareness, responsibility, and community-level action. And that is where our journey of understanding truly began.

What Counts as E-Waste?

As we began interacting with different groups on campus, we realised that e-waste is one of the most misunderstood categories of waste. Almost everyone had heard the term before, but very few could clearly explain what actually counts as e-waste. Many believed that only big or expensive gadgets—like phones, laptops, or TVs—fall under this category. Through this project, we learned that the definition is much broader and surprisingly simple.

E-waste refers to any electrical or electronic item that is no longer usable, whether it runs on a wire, plug, battery, or chip. This includes everyday items we rarely think about:

• old chargers and cables,
• broken earphones,
• remote controls,
• electric toys,
• dead batteries,
• trimmers and hair dryers,
• USB cables and computer accessories.

We realised that the misconception exists because most of us grew up without being taught about this form of waste. Schools rarely discuss it, households treat it like normal garbage, and society often assumes that “small items don’t matter.” But through our learning and interactions, it became clear that even the tiniest electronic component can be harmful when handled incorrectly.

Understanding what e-waste really includes was the first step in breaking the cycle of confusion—and helping others see that responsible disposal starts with simple awareness.

What Really Happens When E-Waste Is Not Recycled Properly?

During our project, we learned that the real damage from e-waste begins after we throw it away. When old gadgets are mixed with regular garbage, they reach landfills where harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium slowly seep into the soil. These toxins pollute groundwater and eventually enter the food we eat.

In many places, wires and small devices are burned to remove metal. This releases poisonous smoke that people breathe in without any protection. Scrap workers often open batteries and electronic parts with their bare hands, which exposes them to dangerous chemical dust and leaks.

All of this happens because the waste is not handled in a safe environment. If the same items are sent to authorised recyclers, they are dismantled carefully, and the materials are recovered without harming anyone. When e-waste goes anywhere else, it becomes a long-term threat to the environment and to the people who deal with it every day.

Misconceptions We Noticed During the Activity:

While interacting with different groups on campus, we realised that the strongest misconceptions came from those who are often overlooked in conversations about environmental issues. Housekeeping staff, security guards, and peons play an essential role in daily campus functioning, yet they rarely receive clear information about e-waste. Many of them shared that they had never been included in such discussions before.

During our conversations, we noticed that several helpers believed that small items such as chargers or earphones are harmless and can be thrown in a regular dustbin. Some felt that burning wires is a normal practice since it removes the outer plastic. Others assumed that giving old electronics to a local scrap dealer is equal to safe recycling, without knowing that most of these items are opened in risky and unprotected conditions.

We also heard the belief that harmful e-waste mainly comes from large companies and factories, and that households do not contribute enough to worry about. Many participants admitted that they were unsure about what properly qualifies as e-waste, which made them depend on guesses rather than correct disposal methods.

These interactions helped us understand that people are not negligent. They simply have not been given access to the right knowledge. Once we explained the basic facts in a simple and comfortable way, many participants were surprised to learn how everyday habits can create long-term harm for both the environment and the workers who handle discarded electronics.

What We Learned About the Hidden Reality of E Waste?

As our project progressed, we began to understand the seriousness of the issue in a much deeper way. We learned that e-waste contains toxic elements such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals that can damage soil, air, and water for many years. These substances do not disappear with time. They slowly enter the environment and eventually reach the food chain.

We also discovered that a large part of e-waste in India is handled by informal workers who dismantle devices without protective gear. Many of them inhale fumes, touch leaking batteries, and break open sharp components every day. Most of this happens simply because safer facilities are not easily accessible or because people are not aware of authorised recycling options.

Another striking realisation was the amount of valuable material that gets wasted. Items like mobile phones and chargers contain copper, aluminium, gold, and other useful metals. When we dispose of them carelessly, these materials are lost forever. Proper recycling not only protects the environment but also recovers resources that can be used again.

Through this project, we understood that e-waste is not a small issue. It is a growing problem that affects health, nature, and the people who unknowingly take risks while handling it.

Our Personal Realisations During This Journey:

This activity taught us that awareness begins with simple and respectful conversations. Many people dispose of gadgets incorrectly, not because they are careless, but because no one has ever explained the consequences to them. When we spoke to participants in the language they were most comfortable with, they opened up easily and shared their habits honestly. This helped us understand their challenges and guided us in clearing their doubts more effectively.

We also realised that even students who use technology every day are often confused about what counts as e-waste and how it should be handled. A few admitted that they had drawers filled with old chargers and wires because they had no idea where to send them. Hearing such responses made us reflect on how common these habits are in every household.

Another important learning was how much impact a single conversation can create. One participant told us they would now store their old gadgets separately until they found a proper recycling point. This showed us that small steps can lead to meaningful change when people feel informed and supported.

Through these interactions, we gained confidence in communicating with diverse groups and understood that real change grows slowly through awareness, empathy, and consistency.

What We Can Actually Do With E-Waste?

After understanding the seriousness of the issue, we felt the need to focus on practical steps that anyone can follow. The first step is to avoid mixing old electronics with household garbage. Even the smallest item contains materials that should not end up in open landfills. Keeping a separate box at home for old chargers, cables, batteries, and unused devices is an easy habit that prevents careless disposal.

Another important practice is to avoid burning wires or breaking open gadgets at home. These actions release harmful substances that can affect both the environment and our health. Instead, we should look for authorised recycling centres or collection drives that safely handle electronic items. Many municipal bodies, colleges, and organisations hold e-waste drives where items are sent to certified recyclers.

We also realised that sharing this information with family members and friends can make a big difference. When more people understand the harm caused by improper disposal, responsible habits start spreading naturally. Simple awareness can prevent many harmful practices that happen only because people do not know the alternatives.

By taking small and consistent steps, we can contribute to a cleaner environment and ensure that our old gadgets are handled in a safe and responsible way.

Conclusion: Moving Toward a More Responsible Future

This project made us realise that e-waste is not just an environmental topic. It is a daily reality that touches our health, our surroundings, and the people who handle waste without any protection. Through our conversations and observations, we understood that awareness does not grow through strict instructions. It grows when information is shared with patience, clarity, and empathy.

We began this journey with limited knowledge, but the experience opened our eyes to the scale of the problem and the importance of individual responsibility. Every discarded charger or forgotten battery has a story after it leaves our hands. When we choose a safer way to dispose of it, we protect not only the environment but also the workers who stand on the frontlines of waste management.

This activity taught us that change starts with small decisions. A separate box at home, a single conversation with a friend, or choosing a proper recycling centre may seem like tiny steps, yet they create a ripple effect within the community. If more people become aware and act responsibly, the burden on our landfills and our waste workers can be reduced significantly.

Through this project, we learned that a sustainable future is built through collective effort, informed choices, and the willingness to care for the world we live in.

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