Policy Dialogue Calls for Stronger E-Waste Management in Bangladesh

Dhaka, July 27, 2026: Speakers at a policy dialogue on electronic waste management on Monday called for stronger enforcement of existing regulations, improved data collection and greater collaboration among government agencies, businesses and civil society to address Bangladesh’s growing e-waste challenge.

The dialogue, titled “Electronic Waste Management in Bangladesh: Reality and Way Forward,” was organised by rights-based advocacy organisation VOICE with support from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) at the YWCA auditorium in Dhaka.

According to a recent assessment by VOICE, Bangladesh generates approximately 3 million metric tonnes of electronic waste annually, but less than 10 percent is formally recycled. Although all surveyed entities were registered with the Department of Environment (DoE), none collected end-of-life electronic products during the last fiscal year, indicating weak implementation of the Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) Management Rules, 2021.

Presenting the findings, Musharrat Mahera, Deputy Director (Programmes) at VOICE, said the country’s e-waste contains recoverable resources worth an estimated US$200–221 million annually.

Professor Dr. Rowshan Mamtaz of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) stressed the need for a more strategic waste management system and better allocation of responsibilities within DoE committees.

Zakir Hossain Khan, Founding Managing Director and Chief Executive of Change Initiative, called for a comprehensive monitoring and tracking system for electronic products and urged the private sector to adopt circular economy practices.

Tarit Kanti Biswas, Consultant (Medical Waste Management) at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), emphasized the importance of primary data collection and coordinated action among all stakeholders.

Concluding the event, Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, Executive Director of VOICE, urged the government to establish a clearer institutional framework for e-waste management to transform electronic waste into a valuable resource.

Representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, recycling companies and the media attended the dialogue.