In the final stages of my MSc at Esade Business School in Barcelona, I enrolled in a program focused on promoting social justice that matches students with partner NGOs and social enterprises globally. As students, we were encouraged to trust the process and embrace whichever match we were given. Esade prepared us for every possible challenge: board disagreements about our presence, uncertainty about the direction of our projects or doubts about our impact. Yet, upon arriving at Kopernik, I quickly realized that many of these worst-case scenarios were unlikely. My assigned project at Kopernik was a micro-experiment called Bauhaus, which focuses on upcycling electronic waste (e-waste) into agri-tech solutions. Bauhaus is currently being assessed to join Kopernik's spin-off program called The Next CEO.
Currently in Indonesia, a mere 5% of e-waste is being formally collected and recycled, in comparison to the 22% globally, according to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. But what happens to the other 95% of potentially hazardous waste? Either it is being disposed of as residual waste and left in landfills without proper treatment, or it is being used for the extraction of precious materials (e.g. copper and gold). In this last option, people usually burn the devices for the extraction, which might have serious health implications, and later trade or sell it through informal economies.
Data collection for sensor calibration process
This is the problem Bauhaus is tackling by building agri-tech tools from used devices such as laptops, printers and vapes. Therefore, my internship has been focused on developing a comprehensive business plan to help the team identify market opportunities for the product by analyzing the market landscape, e-waste sourcing options, financial modeling and more. At the same time, I’ve had the chance to participate in the software development process of the prototypes. Luckily, my team has given me the freedom to research, suggest and implement ideas I found interesting, always with great openmindedness. Like any innovation in its early stages, the process has been full of trial, error, and learning, but it's been remarkable to witness how much the project has evolved over my 11 weeks at Kopernik, transforming those sometimes frustrating moments into valuable learning experiences. It’s a reminder that even the most groundbreaking innovations start small–after all, even Iron Man's first suit was built from scratch.
While working with the Bauhaus team, I also had the opportunity to join three field visits. The first was in Bangli, where the team explored the use of affordable science kits to promote sustainable agricultural practices. The second was in Buleleng, focusing on strengthening coastal livelihoods through improved seaweed cultivation and the development of value-added products. The final visit was in Denpasar, in the Regional Disaster Management Center and flood-affected areas, where I assisted the team with donation logistics following the September floods in Bali. Each visit offered a deeper understanding of how practical, context-specific solutions can effectively tackle challenges in agriculture, coastal livelihoods, and disaster response.
Field visit to Bangli to train farmers on sensor usage and the data collection process.
Looking back on these experiences, Kopernik has, for me, meant witnessing ideas grow into promising projects with the right support system, understanding its work in the field, and observing not just the project outcomes but the genuine engagement of local communities in adopting new practices. It has also meant experiencing its unique internal culture– whether through hosting its quarterly review or simply being in the office with kind and welcoming colleagues. I am very thankful for the opportunity to contribute and learn from a project that transforms waste into something meaningful, all while working in an environment where good ideas can come from anywhere. Sometimes the best learning happens when we're given the space to figure things out as we go, and Kopernik certainly provided that space. Terima kasih!
