Saabira Chaudhuri

In this engaging conversation, archaeologist Chloë Duckworth discusses how discarded items reveal our past and shape our present. Business journalist Saabira Chaudhuri dives into her book, revealing how brands exploited single-use plastics for profit, shaping consumer habits. Paleobiologist Sarah Gabbott explores what today's waste could become in the distant future, introducing the concept of 'techno-fossils'. Together, they shed light on the social, environmental, and historical narratives behind what we throw away.

Saabira Chaudhuri, author of 'Consumed' and former Wall Street Journal reporter, dives deep into how brands lured us into the plastic trap. She explores the historical quirks that made plastic the preferred choice, the rampant rise of single-use plastics post-WWII, and the misguided recycling narrative. Saabira also highlights the environmental fallout and discusses what we could do differently if we started fresh. Her insights challenge us to rethink consumer habits and advocate for meaningful change in the plastic industry.