Environmental Activist Sisters & Founders of Bye Bye Plastic Bags; Global Youth Leaders in Plastic Pollution Advocacy; Forbes 30 Under 30 Honorees

Indonesia

Melati and Isabel Wijsen Biography

Melati and Isabel Wijsen are Indonesian sisters and environmental activists recognized for their leadership in the global movement against plastic pollution. Born in Bali to Dutch and Indonesian parents, the sisters were inspired by a lesson about positive world leaders at Green School Bali, which motivated them to address Indonesia's plastic pollution challenges. At ages 10 and 12, they launched the grassroots campaign "Bye Bye Plastic Bags" to eliminate single-use plastic bags in Bali, organizing beach cleanups, school workshops, and petition drives to raise awareness and reduce plastic bag usage.

The campaign gained momentum through community organizing and direct action. The sisters initiated an online petition to the governor of Bali, which quickly gathered thousands of signatures. When government officials did not respond, they undertook a hunger strike, leading to the governor signing a prohibition on styrofoam, plastic bags, and straws. Their sustained advocacy contributed to Bali's ban on single-use plastic bags and inspired 60 youth-led groups worldwide. They also launched the Mountain Mamas project, training local women in Bali to make reusable bags from donated or recycled materials.

Melati and Isabel have shared their environmental message internationally, speaking at TED, the United Nations in New York, and the IMF World Bank Forum in Bali. "Bye Bye Plastic Bags" has expanded to 60 locations globally, with teams led by young people advocating for plastic reduction. Melati's story is featured in the film "Bigger Than Us," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and highlights her collaborative efforts for environmental change.

Their work has received international recognition. Melati has delivered two global TED Talks before age 21 and has been recognized by TIME, CNN Heroes Young Wonders, and Forbes 30 Under 30. She has co-chaired the World Economic Forum GPAP committee and served on the inaugural Expert Advisory Panel for the Earthshot Prize. The sisters have received honors for their efforts to ban plastic bags, including the Award for Our Earth from Germany's Bambi Awards.

Building on "Bye Bye Plastic Bags," Melati has expanded her impact through YOUTHTOPIA, which offers peer-to-peer learning programs to equip young people with practical skills for environmental activism. The platform has reached 10,000 students through more than 300 programs. Isabel continues her environmental advocacy and entrepreneurial work in Bali. Together, the Wijsen sisters have transformed a childhood concern about plastic pollution into a global movement that has influenced environmental policy and inspired a new generation of activists.

BOOK Melati and Isabel Wijsen

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/30/2026.

Melati and Isabel Wijsen Videos

It's About Time We Start Listening, Acting & Changing

It's About Time We Start Listening, Acting & Changing

Melati and Isabel are on a mission to stop plastic bags from suffocating their beautiful island home of Bali. Their efforts are paying off and have...

Our campaign to ban plastic bags in Bali | Melati and Isabel Wijsen

Our campaign to ban plastic bags in Bali | Melati and Isabel Wijsen

Plastic bags are essentially indestructible, yet they're used and thrown away with reckless abandon. Most end up in the ocean, where they pollute the...

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Melati and Isabel Wijsen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Melati and Isabel Wijsen for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Melati and Isabel Wijsen generally travels from Indonesia and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jamie Margolin, Erin Brockovich, Melati Wijsen, Sophia Kianni and Kehkashan Basu. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Melati and Isabel Wijsen for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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