TDS Desk:

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Advisor, urged manufacturers to adopt responsible practices by producing durable electronic goods.

She also discouraged consumers from discarding items prematurely due to fleeting trends. The advisor stressed the importance of proper e-waste management as the government prepares to implement the E-Waste Rules 2021.

Speaking joined virtually from her residence at a seminar titled “Formal E-Waste Management,” held Monday at Hotel Westin on International E-Waste Day, Rizwana Hasan called for active participation from relevant stakeholders.

She encouraged individuals and organisations to support the ministry by providing suggestions for the effective implementation of e-waste management policies.

The advisor emphasized reducing waste as a primary solution, advocating for the promotion and regulation of the recycling industry.

She highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive, nationwide e-waste management system involving government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and citizens. The informal handling of hazardous materials, she warned, poses significant environmental and health risks.

Major General (retd) Md Emdad Ul Bari, Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), was present as a special guest, while Sumon Ahmed Sabir, Chairperson of WEEE Society-Bangladesh, also spoke at the event. Dr Md Shahinoor Islam of BUET presented a keynote paper titled “e-Waste Contains both Hazardous and Valuable Materials: Stakeholders’ Role in Transforming These into Circular Economy.”

The seminar gathered policymakers, environmental experts, and industry leaders to discuss challenges and solutions for managing e-waste in Bangladesh, emphasizing the dangers of informal recycling practices like open burning, which contribute to pollution and health hazards.