Experts voice concerns of environmental, health risks from proposed waste-to-energy projects

GramBangla Unnayan Committee has organized a seminar in Dhaka voiced concerns over the potential environmental, public health, economic and social impacts of proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) projects in Bangladesh, urging policymakers to prioritise recycling, composting and the livelihoods of informal waste collectors.

The seminar was held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the seminar titled "Waste-to-Energy: Impacts on Environment, Public Health, Recycling Industry and Waste Pickers' Livelihoods" brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society, environmental experts, development partners, researchers, journalists and waste picker organisations.

Bangladesh Waste Pickers Union President Rina Begum and General Secretary Kulsum Begum, who is also president of Earth Foundation, addressed the event. The seminar was chaired by Aminul Islam Bokul, while GramBangla Unnayan Committee Executive Director AKM Maksud presented the keynote paper.

In his presentation, Maksud said the volume of municipal solid waste is increasing rapidly both globally and in Bangladesh, making environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive waste management an urgent priority.

Referring to proposed WTE projects in Dhaka, Barishal and other areas, he said that although the initiatives are being promoted as solutions for waste disposal and electricity generation, they also raise significant environmental, public health and socio-economic concerns.

He noted that Bangladesh's municipal waste contains high levels of moisture and mixed materials, making large-scale incineration less efficient for power generation.

The keynote paper also warned that incineration plants require a continuous supply of combustible waste, which could compete directly with waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting initiatives. Burning recyclable materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard and textiles could weaken the country's recycling industry and circular economy while increasing dependence on virgin raw materials, speakers said.