Introduction 

E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electrical and electronic devices. This type of waste poses a significant environmental challenge globally, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh, where it is a relatively new category of waste. Despite the growing generation of e-waste, Bangladesh lacks comprehensive laws and policies specifically addressing e-waste management. This paper aims to examine the current scenario of e-waste management in Bangladesh and assess the adequacy of the existing legal framework to manage e-waste effectively.

Overview of E-Waste in Bangladesh

E-waste encompasses a broad range of discarded electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and other household appliances. The increasing consumption of electronic goods has led to a corresponding rise in e-waste, which contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants that pose significant environmental and health risks if not managed properly.

The e-waste recycling process in Bangladesh is a developing industry facing numerous challenges and opportunities. Here is an overview of the current state and typical steps involved in the e-waste recycling process in the country:

Current State of E-Waste Recycling in Bangladesh

1. Informal Sector Dominance:
   • A significant portion of e-waste recycling in Bangladesh is handled by the informal sector. This includes small-scale, often family-run operations that manually dismantle electronic waste.
   • These operations lack proper safety measures and environmentally sound practices, leading to health risks for workers and environmental pollution.
2. Lack of Regulations and Infrastructure:
   • There are limited regulations specifically addressing e-waste management in Bangladesh. This contributes to the proliferation of informal recycling practices.
   • Formal e-waste recycling facilities are scarce, and there is a lack of awareness and infrastructure to support large-scale, environmentally friendly recycling efforts.

Typical Steps in the E-Waste Recycling Process

1. Collection and Segregation:
   • E-waste is collected from various sources, including households, businesses, and government institutions.
   • The collected waste is then segregated into different categories such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and other electronic devices.
2. Dismantling:
   • The segregated e-waste is manually dismantled to separate components like metals, plastics, glass, and electronic parts.
   • This step is usually performed by informal workers using basic tools, often without protective equipment.
3. Sorting and Categorization:
   • After dismantling, the separated components are sorted into different categories for further processing or sale.
   • Metals are categorised by type (e.g., copper, aluminium), while plastics and other materials are also sorted accordingly.
4. Material Recovery:
   • Valuable materials such as precious metals (gold, silver, palladium) are extracted from the e-waste components. This is often done through rudimentary methods like burning or acid baths, which are hazardous to health and the environment.
   • Some components are sold to scrap dealers or recycling companies that have the capacity to further process and recover valuable materials.
5. Recycling and Disposal:
   • The recovered materials are recycled into raw materials that can be used in manufacturing new products.
   • Non-recyclable components and hazardous waste are often improperly disposed of, leading to environmental pollution.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges:

• Health and Environmental Risks: Informal recycling poses significant health risks to workers due to exposure to toxic substances. Environmental contamination from improper disposal of hazardous waste is also a major issue.
• Regulatory Gaps: The lack of specific regulations and enforcement mechanisms hinders the development of a formal e-waste recycling sector.
• Lack of Awareness: Limited public awareness about the importance of proper e-waste disposal and recycling contributes to the prevalence of informal practices.

Opportunities:

• Formal Sector Development: Establishing formal recycling facilities with proper safety and environmental standards can mitigate health and environmental risks.
• Regulatory Framework: Implementing and enforcing regulations specific to e-waste management can help structure the industry and promote sustainable practices.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the dangers of improper e-waste disposal and the benefits of recycling can drive better practices at the grassroots level.

 A Statistical Overview

Bangladesh is grappling with a significant challenge posed by the rapid increase in e-waste, or ewaste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This report highlights key statistics and insights on the state of e-waste management in the country.

E-Waste Generation

• Annual Production: Bangladesh generates approximately 3 million metric tonnes (MMT) of e-waste each year.
• Sources of E-Waste: Major contributors include mobile phones, household electronic appliances, office equipment, and ship-breaking yards.

Environmental and Health Risks

• Hazardous Components: E-waste contains harmful substances such as mercury, lead, nickel, cadmium, barium, zinc, and flame retardants.
• Adverse Effects: These heavy metals and chemicals pose significant risks to human health and the environment.

Economic Potential of E-Waste

• Global Market: The global e-waste management market was valued at USD 56.56 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 189.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.4%.
• Resource Recovery: Valuable materials such as gold, silver, nickel, copper, palladium, manganese, lithium, tungsten, indium, and tantalum can be extracted and recycled from e-waste.

Regulatory Framework

• Current Legislation: The Department of Environment (DoE) in Bangladesh introduced the Hazardous Waste (e-waste) Management Rules in 2021, under the Environmental Protection Act of 1995.
• Key Provisions: The rules cover various IT and communication equipment, home appliances, monitoring and control equipment, medical equipment, and automatic machines.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Violations can lead to imprisonment for up to two years, fines up to BDT 200,000, or both. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties, including imprisonment from two to ten years and fines ranging from BDT 200,000 to BDT 1,000,000.

Challenges and Recommendations

• Current Disposal Practices: A significant portion of e-waste is improperly disposed of, often ending up in landfills due to the dominance of informal recycling industries.
• Public Awareness: There is a lack of public awareness regarding proper e-waste disposal methods.
• Infrastructure Needs: More recycling centres and licensed waste disposal companies are needed to handle e-waste properly.
• Formalisation of Informal Sector: Recognizing and regulating informal recycling facilities with financial incentives and strict health and safety regulations is crucial.

E-waste management in Bangladesh is still in its early stages. Despite the introduction of new regulations, a comprehensive and holistic approach involving public awareness, infrastructure development, and formalisation of the recycling sector is essential to mitigate the adverse effects of e-waste and harness its economic potential.

References

• Roy et al., 2022
• Straits Research, 2021

Conclusion

The e-waste recycling process in Bangladesh is currently dominated by informal practices with significant health and environmental risks. This informal sector often involves unsafe methods such as open burning, acid baths, and manual dismantling without protective equipment, leading to severe health issues for workers and environmental contamination. Hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium can leach into the soil and water, posing long-term ecological and health problems.Developing a formal sector for e-waste recycling is crucial to mitigate these risks. This transformation requires the implementation of robust regulations that enforce safe handling and disposal of e-waste. Regulatory frameworks should establish clear guidelines for e-waste collection, transportation, and processing, ensuring that all activities comply with health and environmental standards.In addition to regulations, significant investment in infrastructure is essential. This includes setting up modern recycling facilities equipped with technology for safe and efficient e-waste processing. Proper infrastructure would enable the recovery of valuable materials while minimising hazardous waste.Public awareness initiatives are also vital in this transition. Educating the public about the dangers of improper e-waste disposal and the benefits of formal recycling can drive behavioral changes. Campaigns and educational programs can encourage individuals and businesses to dispose of e-waste responsibly and utilise formal recycling channels.