This illustrated book by Hyderabad-based author Shubhashree Sangameshwaran wants us to 'talk trash'

In her book, Shubhashree Sangameshwaran explains through a combination of text and illustrations how older generations led a zero-waste lifestyle, how we trash our surroundings extensively
Shubhashree Sanghameshwaran’s book called Let’s Talk Trash is a little-illustrated handbook with simple, everyday ideas towards a less trashy and messy world
Shubhashree Sanghameshwaran’s book called Let’s Talk Trash is a little-illustrated handbook with simple, everyday ideas towards a less trashy and messy world

There are so many things we can learn from our older generations including minimal wastage at our homes - whether it was extra food or the stray plastic bag that managed to enter the house. Only '80s kids can relate to such things as going to buy milk with a can and bottles to buy oil, bulk buying grocery staples.

We have definitely changed a lot since then and mind it, not in a good way. From getting our food delivered in take away boxes at our doorsteps to the uncountable plastic shopping bags that we carry in our cars or use at home, our consumption driven lifestyle has made zero-waste management a completely forgotten concept. So now when environmentally conscious youngsters put up pictures on Instagram of fancy jars filled with two years worth of garbage, it sends shock waves through society.

Illustrated to curb waste: Shubha's book talks about simple ideas to make the world a little less messy

This is exactly what irked the conscience of a Hyderabad-based IT professional to come up with an illustrated book on zero-waste management. Shubhashree Sangameshwaran’s book called Let’s Talk Trash is a little-illustrated handbook with simple, everyday ideas towards a less trashy and messy world. Also, a brief look at the past to see what lessons we can learn from our earlier generations and how they were pretty effortlessly #zerowaste, even before it became a trendy hashtag. If you're getting a bit disgruntled at the state of our surroundings and wondering where to start, this book is definitely for you. 

Shubha, who was earlier an IT professional and has moved between cities, shifted to Hyderabad a few years back, taking a break from her hectic 9 to 5 job. During this time, Shubha, who is also an illustrator, revived her artistic interests and stumbled upon zero-waste management activist Lauren Singer and Ben Jonson's blogs. She was then motivated enough to give consumption and wastage a thought.

Importance of zero-waste management: Shubha chose illustrations to explain the topic as they are more eye-catching

In her book, she explains through a combination of text and illustrations how older generations led a zero-waste lifestyle, how we trash our surroundings extensively and finally how we can cut down on our waste judiciously.

Shubha said that she chose illustrations for this topic as they are more enticing, appealing and eye-catching to her audience. "I have personally seen my father during my childhood days producing little or no waste. Which was why I have been concerned by the scenario now. With the lifestyle we have become accustomed to already it will be extremely difficult and would require an ample amount of effort to modify our habits for the betterment of our environment," says Shubha.

The book's idea came up through a personal project that Shubha was working for - the 'Sketchbook Project', a sketchbook based art project by Brooklyn library in which anyone can participate and hence this illustrated book came to existence.

Shubha has been practising zero-waste management herself and she wants to create awareness about the same. "As for future plans I want to reach out to schools, as we should start early and through kids, I believe their parents would also get motivated to lead a waste-free lifestyle," adds Shubha.

Her book is priced at Rs 140 and is available on Shubha's personal website, to know more you can write to her at thehungrypalette@gmail.com

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