Integrated waste management approach is long overdue in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a huge population approximately over 160 million and it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. One can imagine the size of its enormous waste that could be generated, in particular, by the domestic, industrial and commercial activities in the larger cities. The urban area of Bangladesh generates approximately 16,015 tons of waste per day, which adds up to over 5.84 million tons annually. It is projected that this amount will grow up to 47,000 tons/day and close to 17.16 million tons per year by 2025, due to growth both in population and the increase in per capita waste generation (Country Analysis Paper Draft BANGLADESH, Bangladesh Third Meeting of the Regional 3R Forum in Asia Technology, Singapore, 5-7 October 2011). 

Waste is no longer regarded as waste these days. It is considered as extra sources of revenue if you can make use of unwanted materials. It may sound very strange, but it is true. Countries that have managed to establish efficient waste management and recycling systems are earning substantial amount of money by providing complete recycling and resource management services (by their public and private companies) to the local communities, effectively creating new jobs, better quality of environment and improved public health. Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysis predicts boom in global waste industry as resource crunch bites. The report says Global waste industry could double to $2tn by 2020 (Murrey, 09 April 2013 in Business Green Sustainable Thinking). Bangladesh should not miss out the opportunities to develop and expand its existing waste management systems. An integrated waste management approach is long overdue in the face of rapid creation of waste, which eventually will help Bangladesh stepping towards a sustainable future. 

Waste Concern; a social business enterprise founded in 1995 has been working with a vision to tackle waste issues in Bangladesh. Waste Concern Group was formed to achieve a common vision to contribute towards waste recycling, environmental improvement, renewable energy, poverty reduction through job creation, and sustainable development (http://www.wasteconcern.org/). It is a drop in the ocean but a huge step forward. There are also irregular small scale (informal) recycling centres are growing around the country. If they are managed and organised properly then it is possible to revitalise the local economy. On the other hand, a caveat, having hundreds of recycling centres wouldn’t help if the recycling centre employees do not practice what they preach. Meaning if they dump their unwanted materials as waste into the local drains, water courses or fly-tipping (illegal dumping) to open lands, then the purpose of doing recycling business would be useless. Therefore, waste legislations should dictate how waste should be managed and disposed. Also, appropriate environmental training and education are essential for those who run casual recycling centres. 

On 29th December 2011, Bangladesh Government had launched a National 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) waste management strategy, which was developed in collaboration with the support from The United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD),Government of Japan and Waste Concern would support waste reduction, reuse, recycle and appropriate disposal of waste. It is hardly surprising that a new set of National Waste Strategy was required to resolve waste related problems; however, at this point it feels like the strategy should have been adapted at some point earlier in time. Under the national 3R goal for waste management, complete elimination of waste disposal on open dumps, rivers, flood plains were to be achieved by 2015. As well as promoting recycling of waste through mandatory segregation of waste at source, create a market for recycled products and also to provide incentives for recycling of waste (National 3R Strategy for Waste Management, Government of Bangladesh, 2010). However, the dream could yet to become true, having different ranges of other priorities, the deadline year 2015 seemed too near considering the implementation costs, lack of institutional and infrastructure facilities, amount of waste and public cooperation in achieving above mentioned goals. 

Apart from the lack of financial, institutional and infrastructure facilities, the crux of the matter is to raise public awareness in order to change their behaviour and practices. Changing the mind-set, internal culture or behaviour is the hardest thing. A genuine commitment across the general public is required at all levels and in all sectors for meaningful change to occur. It is noteworthy to mention that my observation in early 1990s in Sweden was an excellent one. I came across many times extraordinary behaviour and practices among general public when it came to respect to the common good and understanding the potential risks from waste. Someone behind you would pick up the rubbish and put it in the nearest bin if you had thrown it on the street. It took Swedes over many generations to build up this kind of attitude, also some of the environmental problems e.g. effects of acid rain in 1980s raised green consciousness even stronger. In the context of Bangladesh, it is still a long way to go to enshrine such mentality as the irresponsible practices of handling and disposing waste on individual level has been going on for so long that people consider it part of their daily routines.

With the increasing amount of waste that is generated, Bangladesh has fallen behind in waste handling and disposing and will fall even further if the waste issues are not taken very seriously and the conclusion drawn is that it has to be at the forefront of environmental sustainably agenda.