Bangladesh formally recycles less than 10% of the nearly 3 million tons of electronic waste it generates each year despite having dedicated e-waste management rules, according to private development organization VOICE, which blamed weak enforcement and poor compliance for the gap.
VOICE presented the findings at an advocacy meeting titled "Current State of E-waste Management in Bangladesh and the Way Forward" in Dhaka on Monday, with support from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).
The organization's assessment of the E-waste Management Rules, 2021 found a significant gap between regulatory requirements and their implementation.
According to the assessment, although all surveyed institutions were registered with the Department of Environment and had disclosed the required administrative information, practical compliance remained weak. Only 22% had established take-back systems, while the same proportion followed hazardous waste risk management standards. None of the surveyed organizations had collected end-of-life electronic products during the previous fiscal year, and many also fell short in proper storage and record-keeping.
According to the findings, Bangladesh generates nearly 3 million tons of e-waste annually, yet less than 10% is recycled through formal channels, resulting in an estimated annual loss of $200 million to $221 million in recoverable resources.
Presenting the findings, VOICE representative Bandhan Das said Bangladesh has established the necessary legal framework for e-waste management, but implementation remains largely ineffective. Without stronger enforcement, producer accountability, and efficient collection and monitoring systems, the environmental objectives of the rules cannot be achieved, he said.
VOICE Executive Director Ahmed Swapan Mahmud said the organization has long been working through research, advocacy, and policy engagement to address the country's growing e-waste challenge. While the adoption of the E-waste Management Rules in 2021 marked an important milestone, ensuring their effective implementation is now the top priority, he added.
Aminur Rasul of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) said e-waste is not only a waste management issue but also a resource management challenge. Responsible management, he said, could protect public health and the environment while creating significant economic value.
Akhtar Ul Alam, founder of Bangladesh We Society, said many valuable materials used in imported electronic products are recovered and refined abroad. As a result, Bangladesh bears the environmental burden at the end of the products' life cycle while much of the economic value from resource recovery remains overseas.
VOICE Deputy Director (Programs) Mosharrat Mahera said proper e-waste management should be recognized as an integral part of the government's climate agenda. She emphasized that meaningful progress would require coordinated efforts from all relevant stakeholders.
Representatives from civil society and the media also stressed the need for stronger enforcement of the E-waste Management Rules, better coordination among relevant agencies, greater producer responsibility, and increased investment in a circular economy to protect both people and the environment.
Participants concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to strengthening enforcement of the E-waste Management Rules and promoting an accountable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable e-waste management system to replace the country's largely fragmented and informal practices.