Electronic waste management in Bangladesh is facing significant challenges due to policy gaps, inadequate coordination among government agencies, and weak enforcement mechanisms, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said. Speaking at a consultation held on International E-Waste Day at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, he highlighted the difficulties stemming from the absence of a comprehensive database, which hampers effective planning and implementation efforts.

Although the government introduced e-waste management rules in 2021, their mandatory provisions have not been fully enforced, according to Iftekharuzzaman. He attributed this to limited institutional capacity, low public awareness, and a lack of accountability in the system. The event, jointly organised by TIB and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Society Bangladesh, focused on promoting good governance in e-waste management and exploring the challenges and prospects facing the country.

Iftekharuzzaman noted that while Bangladesh has formulated various policies and strategies related to e-waste, these efforts remain fragmented, lacking a unified framework to guide coherent implementation across sectors. He emphasized the dual nature of electronic waste as both an environmental and health risk and an economic opportunity, with potential benefits from recycling and the recovery of valuable materials.

Dr Md Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister on environment, forests and climate change, outlined government plans to establish dedicated e-waste management centres at divisional and district levels. He said that discussions are ongoing with foreign investors and local entrepreneurs to develop processing facilities that can convert household e-waste into intermediate products for export, reflecting a growing interest in integrating e-waste management within economic development strategies.

The consultation highlighted the need for strengthened institutional frameworks, improved interagency coordination, and greater public engagement to address the growing volume of electronic waste in Bangladesh, aiming to mitigate environmental hazards while capitalizing on emerging economic opportunities.