How can e-waste management be improved?

In Bangladesh, the management of electronic waste (e-waste) is becoming an increasingly critical environmental and health challenge. The country is estimated to generate around 2.7 million metric tons of e-waste annually, a number that is growing with the rapid proliferation of electronic devices. Despite this growing volume, Bangladesh lacks effective systems for the management, collection, recycling, and disposal of e-waste. The majority of this waste ends up in landfills or is processed through informal recycling networks. These informal recycling practices often involve burning or chemically treating the waste, which leads to the release of harmful toxins like lead and mercury into the environment. Such practices not only cause severe environmental pollution but also pose significant health risks to both workers involved in informal recycling and the broader community. The challenge, therefore, is to establish and implement proper e-waste management mechanisms. This includes setting up structured collection systems to ensure that e-waste is systematically gathered and channeled to proper recycling facilities. It also involves developing recycling processes that safely and efficiently reclaim valuable materials from e-waste while minimizing the release of toxins. Furthermore, there’s a pressing need for increased public awareness about the dangers of improper e-waste disposal and the importance of sustainable electronics usage. To effectively tackle this issue, a combination of regulatory measures, technological solutions, and public education campaigns is required. This approach will not only help in mitigating environmental and health hazards but also in fostering a culture of responsible e-waste management and sustainable electronics consumption in Bangladesh.