Karthik Natarajan’s talk, The Dirt on Waste: Looking into the Larger Questions Around Waste and Consumption, explores the deep-seated issues surrounding modern consumerism and waste management. He challenges the audience to look beyond the everyday act of throwing things away and examine the systemic problems that drive excessive consumption. From the culture of disposability in fast fashion and single-use plastics to the hidden environmental and social costs of waste, Karthik sheds light on how little choice we have as consumers while playing a pivotal role in keeping things going. He also raises critical questions—who is responsible for the waste we generate, how can businesses and individuals rethink sustainability, and what role does policy play in tackling the crisis? By connecting waste to larger economic and ethical considerations, the talk urges us to reconsider our relationship with consumption and take meaningful steps toward a more responsible future.