Decoding the language of waste

Head of the English Studies Department Dr. Sayan Dey spearheaded an international workshop titled 'Garbage, Media and Environment' at Mizoram University, India, from August 28-30, 2025.

The three-day event brought together postgraduate and doctoral students from the departments of Mass Communication and Political Sciences to explore the deeper meanings of waste in contemporary society.

The workshop was anchored around Dr. Dey's latest book, 'Garbocracy: Towards a Great Human Collapse', which challenges conventional notions of garbage and reframes it as a metaphor for cultural, ideological, and psychological exclusion.

Through a blend of lectures, fieldwork, and interactive sessions, participants examined how waste operates not only as a physical entity but also as a symbol of marginalization, resistance, and transformation. The workshop hosted by Mizoram University in India attracted 50–60 students. Dr. Dey's sessions emphasized the role of media in shaping public perceptions and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to environmental activism. "Garbage is not just what we throw away - it's what we refuse to acknowledge," said Dr. Dey.

"It reflects our values, our fears, and the systems we uphold. Through this workshop, we aimed to decode the language of waste and understand its impact on our lives and our planet," Dr. Dey said. Participants praised the workshop's innovative structure and its ability to connect theory with life experience.

Student presentations on the final day showcased creative interpretations of waste through storytelling, visual media, and critical analysis, underscoring the workshop's transformative impact.

The event concluded with reflections on 'Garbocracy', which critiques global obsessions with cleanliness, order, and productivity, arguing that these ideals often conceal deeper forms of collapse.

Dr. Dey encouraged students to carry forward the insights gained into their academic and personal lives, fostering a more critical and compassionate understanding of the world around them.