Tackling menace of e-waste

Electronic waste is a new concern for us. And the amount of such waste is rising alarmingly every day in Bangladesh. According to a study by the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), about 400,000 tons of e-waste is currently produced in the country every year. The quantity will increase several times by 2030. What is more worrying is that only 3.0 per cent of the waste is recycled and the rest is dumped into landfills or water bodies. E-waste includes anything like plugs, cords and electronic components. Common sources of e-waste include televisions, computers, mobile phones and any type of home appliance, from air conditioners to children's toys. When broken or unwanted electronics are dumped in landfill, toxic substances like lead and mercury can leach into soil and water, which is harmful for public health. Such materials pose a serious risk to human health and the environment. These also harm the growth of plants. E-waste damages the food chain of the ecosystem and contributes to the overall environmental change.
Informal e-waste recycling practices by workers, including adults and children, have led to the development of many health-related diseases like damage to kidney and liver, skin cancer, central and peripheral nervous system dysfunction, etc. Besides, air, water, and soil pollution are caused by the improper incineration of e-scraps leading to environmental pollution. However, to deal with such a serious matter, there is no specific policy in Bangladesh. We must create a proper framework for dumping and recycling of e-scrap in the country as soon as possible.

Abu Elias Linkon,
Banasree, Dhaka,
[email protected]