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Adviser Rizwana Calls for Responsible E-Waste Management
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser, urged manufacturers to embrace responsible practices by producing durable electronic products. She also discouraged consumers from prematurely discarding items due to fleeting trends.
Addressing the seminar titled "Formal E-Waste Management" at the Westin Hotel in Dhaka on International E-Waste Day, Rizwana highlighted the government's commitment to implementing the E-Waste Rules 2021. She called on all stakeholders to actively support the ministry by providing input for effective e-waste management policies.
Rizwana emphasized waste reduction as a primary strategy, advocating for the promotion and regulation of the recycling industry. She underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive, nationwide e-waste management system that engages government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and citizens alike.
The adviser warned against the informal handling of hazardous materials, which poses significant environmental and health risks.
Major General (retd) Md Emdad Ul Bari, Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and Sumon Ahmed Sabir, Chairperson of WEEE Society-Bangladesh, also addressed the gathering.
Dr. Md Shahinoor Islam from BUET presented a keynote paper titled "E-Waste Contains Both Hazardous and Valuable Materials: Stakeholders' Role in Transforming These into a Circular Economy."
The seminar brought together policymakers, environmental experts, and industry leaders to discuss the challenges and solutions for managing e-waste in Bangladesh, particularly focusing on the dangers of informal recycling practices like open burning, which contribute to pollution and health hazards.