Dhaka's digital e-waste gold rush

Dhaka's environmental crisis is solvable, but not through traditional methods. Of the estimated 117,000 tons of electronic waste (E-waste) generated annually, a staggering 97 per cent bypasses the formal recycling system, ending up in landfills and polluting the urban environment. This failure lies in logistics, not processing capacity, and it represents Bangladesh's most significant untapped business opportunity.

The breakthrough solution lies in a Digital Reverse Logistics Platform operating as a Compliance-as-a-Service (CaaS) model. This service is increasingly essential because market demand is now legally mandated. The New Hazardous Waste Rules (2021) and the forthcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) directives require manufacturers to demonstrate that they are recovering their products, creating a high-value B2B market for certified compliance data.

The platform's true value is its ability to capture the missing 97 per cent by digitally integrating the highly efficient yet informal collector network. By leveraging Mobile Financial Services (MFS) for instant, traceable payments, the system converts undocumented scavenging into auditable, high-integrity data for corporate clients. This approach harnesses existing workforce efficiency while ensuring social and environmental accountability.

By transforming systemic liability into a reliable, traceable supply of high-value materials, the CaaS model creates scalable digital infrastructure that mitigates environmental risks and meets corporate mandates. In doing so, it positions this venture as a key driver of Dhaka's emerging circular economy.

Samia Sultana

BBA Department

North South University