Economic aspects of waste management

After World War II, the urban areas began to grow faster than rural areas in the world, and people started to prefer living in cities. Besides, people began travelling more. As all of this impacts other things, so does the impact on the environment and waste. As a result, the amount of waste increases.

There are several types of waste, such as: domestic, industrial, medical, commercial, agriculture, forestry, and e-waste (electrical goods waste), etc. Commercial waste refers to waste from offices, schools, colleges, and various institutions and organisations.

Usually, the waste is kept in a landfill. There are some rules for maintaining landfill waste. The place where waste is stored is called ‘landfill’. There is no self-sufficient landfill in Bangladesh so far. There are certain conditions for an appropriate landfill. This type of landfill has a liner which is to be made with a cover under the ground. The liner should be covered so that the waste’s toxic water does not mix with the surrounding soil and drinking water. In addition, toxic water in the waste has to be given controlled treatment at several levels through technology. So that pollution does not spread. There is also a cover on the landfill. So that crows and other birds cannot spread pollution in the air by sitting on the waste. In general, waste cannot be kept in open spaces. Our landfills do not meet any requirements, and nowhere is waste disposal done through technology. A year and a half ago, waste treatment was started only in Jashore.

Landfill is treated in a number of ways. Its treatment depends on the type of waste. There are also rules for waste collection. Not all kinds of waste can be kept together. Metal, plastic, or e-waste cannot be mixed with domestic waste. Because the rules for treating each type of waste are different. Many wastes can be disposed of. Many treatments can be reused. And most of the waste can be recycled.

By recycling waste, we can reduce the amount of landfill waste. We can conserve natural resources. We can create jobs. We can benefit from cash offers. We can reduce the cost. We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We can also save energy. A new type of business can be tapped into by recycling waste. In this way, waste can take the economy to a much stronger level and protect the environment.

According to relevant data, one trillion million tonnes of waste are generated from food worldwide. Its impact on the global economy is USD three trillion. Zero waste by burning landfill waste can bring about an excellent benefit to the economy. An example is Pennsylvania, USA. There is a statistics on how waste is affecting the economy. 1. In Pennsylvania alone, 31,800 people (10,800 directly and 6,200 indirectly employed and another 14,800 employed) have been employed. 2. There is a revenue of three billion dollars a year from waste. 3. The Commonwealth Recycling Fund and the Growing Greener programme are funded by 26 million. 4. Millions of dollars are donated to charity and local community programmes. 5. Green energy is produced from waste through which electricity and natural gas are produced.

According to experts Australia and the Netherlands have the best treatments for waste. Denmark, Germany, and Sweden also have praiseworthy waste treatment management systems. 

What is the state of waste management in Bangladesh? According to Dhaka City Corporation sources, waste was dumped at the landfill on 62 acres of land in Aminbazar. Every day about 3,000 tonnes of waste is collected from Dhaka North. The picture in the South is similar. So far, it has remained in its infancy. However, the government is thinking of generating electricity from that waste. Apart from this, the government is also thinking of producing compost and biogas. The matter is currently under process. The city corporations have been saying the same thing for a number of years now. But it is unclear what the issue will be or what kind of work is going on.

Bangladesh is the eighth-most populous nation globally and the most densely populated country–leaving aside some city-states. With this growing population, the amount of waste is also increasing. Dhaka is one of the most polluted cities in the world. At the same time, waste management is a big issue here. At the rate of waste generation in Bangladesh, about 4,7064 tons of waste will be generated daily in 2025. At that time, the waste production rate will increase to 220 kilograms per capita per year, experts say.

This statistic is genuinely alarming. It will be challenging to handle the situation if we do not take action now. At the Upazila level or in the villages, people are using modern things and their way of life has also changed. There is also a mountain of waste. Staying away from landfills, people are dumping waste around houses, rivers, and canals. As rivers and canals have become polluted, so has environmental pollution. This is not desirable in a country like Bangladesh, which is thinking of digitizing everything.

It is heard that the government has some plans for waste disposal. The government is working on two projects called ‘Climate Change Trust Fund’ and ‘Composting Project’ with its own funds. 

National Three Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) is a waste management strategy. It didn’t work that way here before. Now there is a law called ‘Solid Waste Management Rules 2021’. It covers all aspects of waste collection, disposal, redistribution, reuse, and recycling. That’s the way to do things. The composting project is working with the local government in 64 districts. In this project, the issue of reducing carbon emissions has been emphasized. Institutions like the World Bank, ADB, etc. are going to help the government in this. Properly covered, it will withstand a great deal of adverse conditions.

Waste has to be turned into an asset. This requires plans and projects as well as experienced people to implement them. There is a lot of technical work here. Those who understand all these works should be involved in these matters. The reality is that those city corporations and municipalities do not have a technical person who understands this work. There is no technology and no funds in this regard. Still, there has to be a beginning. If the projects are implemented, the waste will be recycled and bio-fertilizer, biogas from which electricity will be generated. There will also be fuel and building materials, etc. - which can be used for building and road works. It will also require good manpower to monitor the works.

City corporations and municipalities are responsible for waste management. If they are not efficient in this work, then private organizations can give the responsibility. We can learn about waste management from the developed world and follow their examples. In the beginning, it may take a lot of money to implement the plan. But if those activities start, the country’s economy will be strengthened. There will be a lot of employment. It will be possible to utilize electricity and biogas production. Waste management can create new businesses. Which many countries are already doing. Suppose the works can be spread to the Upazila or village levels outside the city corporations and municipalities. In that case, it will have a similar effect on the society locally. The country will go a long way through improved social waste management.

The writer is a freelance columnist. She can be contacted at [email protected]