Carlos Ayvazian, a young Lebanese entrepreneur, is the founder of Wasted Treasures, an initiative that turns organic waste into high-calorie biomass products to provide a cost-effective, eco-friendly heating solution. Developed in response to Lebanon’s intertwined energy and environmental crises, the project reduces reliance on wood and fossil fuels while helping households cut heating expenses by up to 60%.

Wasted Treasures produces biomass logs and pellets from underutilized resources such as olive mill waste and forest prunings—materials that otherwise contribute to environmental hazards like deforestation and wildfires. By transforming waste into clean fuel, Ayvazian not only promotes responsible waste management and reduces CO₂ emissions, but also engages communities in sustainable practices and builds awareness around circular economies.

Carlos was part of the Young Climate Prize Cycle 02 Cohort, where he was mentored by Scott Massing of MillerKnoll.