Every year, 30 lakh metric tons of e-waste is generated in the country. Of this, 10.5 kg of e-waste is being generated on smart devices alone. At least 2,96,302 units of damaged televisions generate about 1.7 lakh tonnes of e-waste. More than 2.5 million tonnes are coming from the shipbreaking industry. The concern is that this waste is increasing at a rate of 30 percent as the year progresses.
Bangladesh ICT Journalists Forum (BIJF) organized a roundtable discussion titled “Bangladesh at Carbon Risk of E-Waste: Causes and Ways to Overcome” at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the capital on Saturday afternoon.
Rezaul Karim, managing director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority attended the roundtable as chief guest.
He said, “E-waste management is very relevant with the times. For this, there needs to be a specific authority in management besides creating awareness. I expect BIJF to act as a pressure group to implement this.”
In her welcome speech, BIJF President Nazneen Nahar said the initiative taken by BIJF will be strengthened in the future to protect the future generations from its dangers besides highlighting the harmful aspects of e-waste.
Prof Syed Akhtar Hossain, dean of school of Science and Engineering, Canadian International University of Bangladesh presented the keynote paper. "There are no guidelines for e-waste. To overcome this parentless situation, there is a need to develop an e-waste management policy with every product. From October 14, 2023, we will be celebrating international e-waste awareness day across the country under the banner of BIJF."
“Moreover, we want to do an e-waste management hackathon with students,” he added.
According to estimates, Bangladesh will become a repository of millions of tons of e-waste by 2025. Billions of units of smart devices will be produced annually by 2030.
The computer will expand into pcb-based metal conversion business. This could lead to a serious humanitarian crisis. To control the crisis, there is a need to ensure e-waste management and strict enforcement of the law to stop the import of refurbished electronics products entering the country.
Former President of Bangladesh Computer Association Shahid Ul Munir, Chairman of Global Brand Private Limited Abdul Fattah, Managing Director of Smart Technologies (BD) Limited Mohammad Zahirul Islam spoke at the roundtable, among others.