Cleaning my room after my 10^th exams was an eye opener for me. Two smartphones, a laptop, a tablet, wireless earbuds, a pair of smartwatches, a power bank, more than a dozen charging cables and several dead earphones tangled up in my cupboard, sound familiar?

I realised how I was major contributor of mounting E-Waste on this planet.

As teenagers, we're the most device-heavy generation in history. The average teen carries atleast 4 to 5 connected devices daily, a phone, earbuds, a smartwatch, a laptop, and a power bank. We upgrade phones every two years, lose earbuds like they're socks, and toss out chargers the moment a new port comes along. Each of those "small" items add up to a massive environmental footprint.

When we toss these in a bin without a second thought, we start a toxic cycle that eventually comes to haunt each one of us.

When e-waste is burned, which happens routinely in informal recycling sites across the world, it releases several toxic chemical substances into the air, harming all living beings, some of whom who never even used those gadgets.

So that pair of earphones you chucked last month? It didn't just disappear. It's poisoning someone's water, soil, or air right now.

Let’s be mindful:

• Stop upgrading for the sake of it.
• Fix your devices, just don't bin them.
• Recycle properly by finding a certified e-waste collection point near you.
• Buy refurbished. It's cheaper AND sustainable.
• Take care of your accessories. Small habits, big impact.