E-Waste Management—World Perspective versus Bangladesh Scenario

Electronic waste is a fast-growing global problem that poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. The hazardous substances present in electronic devices can cause pollution and have harmful effects if proper disposal measures are not taken into account. Bangladesh generates about 2.8 million metric tons of electronic waste every year, and only about 30% of this waste is recycled. The remaining waste is disposed of in landfills, rivers, sewers, lakes, canals, or open areas, all of which are dangerous to both humans and the environment. The current e-waste management systems in Bangladesh have multiple issues, including inadequate motivation, unhygienic conditions during informal recycling, weak legislation and policies, low awareness, and reluctance from corporations to address pressing concerns. The paper recommends a specialized approach to developing e-waste policies that include incorporating e-waste as part of a national development agenda that focuses on green economies and strategic environmental assessments within national policy planning.