Bangladesh generates an estimated three million metric tonnes of electronic waste annually, with less than 10% recycled through formal channels, according to a new assessment by rights-based advocacy organisation VOICE.
The findings were unveiled at a policy dialogue titled "Electronic Waste Management in Bangladesh: Reality and Way Forward" held at the YWCA auditorium in Dhaka on Monday.
Organised by VOICE with support from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the event focused on strengthening environmental governance and accountability amid Bangladesh's expanding digital economy.
According to VOICE's latest assessment, Bangladesh generates around 3 million metric tons of e-waste annually, but less than 10% is formally recycled. Despite being registered with the Department of Environment (DoE), none of the surveyed entities collected end-of-life electronic products in the last fiscal year, underscoring weak enforcement of the Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) Management Rules, 2021.
Presenting the global e-waste outlook, VOICE Deputy Director (Programs) Musharrat Mahera said the world generated around 62 million metric tons of e-waste in 2022, while Bangladesh could recover US$200-221 million in resources annually through effective recycling.
Professor Dr Rowshan Mamtaz of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) called for a more strategic and efficient waste management system in city corporations, urging the Department of Environment (DoE) to assign committee responsibilities based on members' expertise to strengthen implementation.
Zakir Hossain Khan, founding managing director and chief executive of Change Initiative, called for a robust monitoring and tracking system for electronic products to generate accurate e-waste data, while urging the private sector to adopt a circular economy model to drive market-based e-waste management solutions.
Tarit Kanti Biswas, consultant for medical waste management at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), called for stronger social responsibility, greater use of primary data, and a coordinated strategy to turn e-waste into a valuable resource.
Concluding the dialogue, VOICE Executive Director Ahmed Swapan Mahmud urged the government to issue an official circular establishing a clear e-waste management framework to turn e-waste into a valuable resource.
Representatives of Citizen's Initiative, Arannayk Foundation and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, as well as recycling companies and media outlets, participated in the dialogue.
Speakers called for stronger action by relevant government agencies to enforce the rules. They also urged regulators, industry representatives, civil society organisations and the media to work together to ensure compliance and promote sustainable e-waste management.