Dr. Eng. Bayu Indrawan

Business adviser, Engineer, Environmentalist, Inventor, Muslim, Philanthropist, Scientist, Social entrepreneur, Technologist

Dr. Eng. Bayu Indrawan is one of Indonesia’s most dynamic figures in environmental science, renewable energy, and the circular economy. A technopreneur, academic, and sustainability advocate, he earned his doctorate in Environmental Science and Technology from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan—becoming one of the youngest Indonesians to do so, with a full scholarship from Japan’s Ministry of Education. Bayu is the founder of the Center of Waste Management Indonesia (CWMI), the nation's first innovation hub for sustainable waste-to-energy solutions. He led the development of Indonesia’s first commercial hydrothermal waste treatment facility and breakthrough plastic-to-fuel pyrolysis systems. His contributions earned him the “Indonesian Inspirative Talent in Science & Technology” award in 2018 by Intisari, Kompas Gramedia Group. As the Indonesia Regional Chair of the Global WtERT Council, Bayu represents the country in global environmental platforms. He also founded the Aljazari Foundation and STEM Indonesia, empowering underserved communities through education and innovation. Through his roles as educator, innovator, and leader, Bayu remains committed to building a cleaner, smarter, and more equitable future for all—where technology is used not just to solve problems, but to inspire hope and purpose.

building a future where science, technology, and humanity thrive together. As a technopreneur, academic, and advocate for sustainable innovation, I have dedicated my life to transforming complex environmental and energy challenges into real-world solutions. My journey has taken me from laboratories in Tokyo to waste management facilities across Indonesia—driven by a belief that technology must serve both people and the planet. Rooted in a commitment to waste-to-energy innovation, renewable energy transformation, and circular economy advancement, my deeper purpose is to inspire others to act, innovate, and collaborate for a better future. This vision led me to found the Center of Waste Management Indonesia, develop pioneering hydrothermal and pyrolysis technologies, and promote science and technology education through STEM Indonesia. I believe that ideas—when shared with sincerity and clarity—can catalyze change. That’s why I see TEDxUNJA not only as a platform for ideas worth spreading but as a space where local wisdom meets global innovation. Through TEDx, I aim to bring together changemakers who dare to ask difficult questions, offer bold solutions, and tell the stories that move us forward. This is more than my work—it is my calling. Because I believe that when knowledge is shared and voices are amplified, we unlock the potential of generations to come.

We live in a time of both extraordinary innovation and escalating environmental crisis. While technology connects and empowers us like never before, our planet bears the cost—rising temperatures, overflowing waste, and deepening inequality. At the heart of this lies a flawed, linear mindset: take, use, discard. This outdated model no longer serves humanity or the Earth. The idea worth spreading is to adopt a circular mindset—to design with nature, not against it. A circular economy is more than recycling; it’s a philosophy of regeneration. Just as nature wastes nothing, we must build systems where materials cycle, cities heal, and economies lift people without harming the planet. Through technologies like waste-to-energy, biodegradable materials, and closed-loop design, we already have the tools. What we need now is the will. This shift is not only technical—it is deeply human. It asks us to redefine success, prioritize long-term impact, and embrace interconnection. Climate change will not wait. The future is being shaped now. Let’s educate with responsibility, innovate with empathy, and create systems where both people and the planet thrive. The circular mindset is more than an idea—it’s a call to action. And that is the idea I believe is worth spreading.

began with a question that changed everything: "What if science and technology could speak to the hearts of people, not just their minds?" As an engineer, technopreneur, and academic, I’ve spent my life solving problems—designing systems to turn waste into energy, building platforms for education, and developing policies that support sustainability. But over time, I realized that the biggest challenge isn’t technology—it’s inspiration. It’s helping people believe in the future, and in their power to shape it. That’s what brought me to TED. The first time I watched a TED Talk, I didn’t just learn—I felt something. I saw how a well-told idea can cut across boundaries of discipline, culture, and language. I thought: This is how we move people. This is how we build momentum for change. So I brought TEDx to Jambi—not just as an event, but as a movement. I wanted to give voice to changemakers in our region—scientists, educators, artists, and everyday visionaries—who have stories that deserve a global stage. I wanted to connect local wisdom with global progress, and to remind our youth that innovation doesn’t only live in Silicon Valley—it lives in villages, classrooms, and community labs across Indonesia. My TED story is about turning silence into stories, knowledge into action, and passion into purpose. And I hope it inspires others to share their stories too—because I believe the next big idea isn’t waiting in a lab, it’s waiting to be heard.

bridging worlds—between science and society, technology and tradition, vision and execution. While most know me for my work in renewable energy and waste-to-energy innovation, few realize how deeply I enjoy translating complex ideas into accessible, actionable solutions that empower others. Whether mentoring students in rural Indonesia, designing scalable waste technologies, or facilitating international collaboration, I thrive in connecting diverse perspectives to create shared impact. I’m also surprisingly adept at creative communication—turning data into stories, and research into movements. TEDx gives me a space to channel that passion into something bigger than myself: building a culture where knowledge is not just admired, but applied.