We live in a world designed for waste, where nearly 99% of what we buy is discarded within six months and where food waste alone contributes more to climate change than the aviation industry. But what if waste wasn’t the problem? What if the real issue was how we design and think about the things we use? In this talk, Darshita shares insights from her research on waste, composting, and industrial ecology, exploring how nature’s circular systems can inspire us to rethink sustainability. By asking better questions as consumers, like where does this product come from? and what happens when I’m done with it?, we can challenge the throwaway culture and start shaping a future where waste isn’t inevitable—it’s a thing of the past. (CREDITS: ASL Interpreter: Amy Rios-Richardson; Organizing Team: Myren Bobryk-Ozaki, Ferdinand Jr Virtudes, William Li, Matthew Oley, Kenzo Colon, Melissa Xie; Editors: Bryan Agnello, Myren Bobryk-Ozaki; Lead Video Production: Bryan Agnello; Camera Operators: Chase Powers, Sophi Oliveira, Chase Roman, Julio Cruz Jr, Stacey Washington; Tech Crew: Cam Harrington, Wally Adam, Ben Jacobson, Bek Dillay, Dylan Aguirre; Crew: Mohammed Adnan, Aarushi Sharma, Igor Polotai, Gaby Blanton, Pravina Bhalerao; Designers: Zo Murray (illustration), Erick Wittmann (motion graphics); Photographer: Jack Connolly) Master’s student in Sustainable Systems at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) who is passionate about finding creative ways to make sustainability a part of everyday life. With a background in Computer Science, she combines technical skills with a love for environmental innovation. One of her favorite projects has been conducting NSF-funded research on the lifecycle impact of tabletop composters, exploring how they can transform household waste into a resource while reducing environmental impact. She also worked on campus initiatives to reduce waste and designed sustainability courses to inspire others to take action. For her, sustainability isn’t just about science—it’s about connecting with people, sharing ideas, and making change happen, one step at a time. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx