In a move to protect the environment, Bangladesh’s interim government recently banned plastic bags, launching a nationwide crackdown. However, experts warn that e-waste poses an even greater health risk. With increasing reliance on telecommunications, internet, and electronic devices, Bangladesh now generates approximately 3 million metric tons of e-waste annually, including 1.1 million tons from unused mobile phones and over 120,000 tons from obsolete televisions. This e-waste increases by nearly 30% each year.
Experts note that the chemicals in e-waste can lead to cancer, respiratory issues, birth defects, and significant environmental damage affecting wildlife and aquatic life. According to a study by an NGO, the capital city, Dhaka, produces the highest e-waste, with about 50,000 children involved in its collection and recycling. Tragically, e-waste pollution is linked to 15% of child deaths in affected areas.
In a recent statement, the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association called for the enforcement of the 2021 e-waste management guidelines, expressing frustration at the lack of action by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). President Mohiuddin Ahmed highlighted that, unlike other countries where retailers collect old devices, e-waste in Bangladesh is primarily handled by scrap dealers. The association urged the government to treat e-waste management as a priority, akin to the current efforts against plastic, and called on the media to play a vital role in raising awareness across all platforms to safeguard public health and the environment.
