Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser, has urged manufacturers to adopt responsible practices by producing durable electronic goods. She also discouraged consumers from discarding items prematurely due to fleeting trends. The adviser was addressing a seminar titled "Formal E-Waste Management," held at the Westin hotel in Dhaka on International E-Waste Day. The adviser said the government would implement the E-Waste Rules 2021, which will play an important role in e-waste management, calling all stakeholders to support the ministry by providing suggestions for the effective implementation of e-waste management policies. Rizwana emphasized reducing waste as a primary solution, advocating for the promotion and regulation of the recycling industry. Concern raised over plan to ban single-use plastics without alternatives She highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive, nationwide e-waste management system involving government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and citizens. The adviser warned that the informal handling of hazardous materials poses significant environmental and health risks. Major General (retd) Md Emdad Ul Bari, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and Sumon Ahmed Sabir, Chairperson of WEEE Society-Bangladesh, also spoke at the event. Dr Md Shahinoor Islam of Buet presented a keynote paper titled "E-Waste Contains both Hazardous and Valuable Materials: Stakeholders' Role in Transforming These into Circular Economy." The seminar gathered policymakers, environmental experts, and industry leaders to discuss challenges and solutions for managing e-waste in Bangladesh, emphasizing the dangers of informal recycling practices like open burning, which contribute to pollution and health hazards.    

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has urged all to ensure proper management of electronic waste. “E-waste management should be safe and environment friendly. With the increased use of technology, electronic waste will go up. So, everybody has to be cautious about the management of e-waste,” he said while virtually addressing a function titled: “Green World of New Generation” organized by the Walton Laptop in the city. Read: Power crisis will not last long: Nasrul Hamid He said electronic waste will be a major hazard for the world in future. The function was also addressed by chairman of Walton DG-tech Industries SM Rezaul Karim and managing director of Walton Hi-tech Industries PLC Golam Morshed. Nasrul Hamid said nowadays many countries in the world are exporting e-wastes while many spare parts are being produced from the recycling of electronic waste. He noted that Bangladesh has also framed the E-waste Management-2021 Regulations for the management of the risky electronic wastes. Welcoming the initiative of Walton in this regard, he said the most modern technology should be used in E-waste management.