DHAKA, Jan 16, 2022 (BSS) - Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate
Change M Shahab Uddin said his ministry is working hard to manage e-waste and
solid waste in the country.
"Our government is working on solid and e waste management...The Department
of Environment has already adopted a 10-year action plan for plastic
management and a three-year special program to stop the use of single use
plastics in coastal areas," he said.
To this end, notification has been issued for "E-Waste Management Rules,
2021" and "Solid Waste Management Rules, 2021".
He was speaking as special guest at a seminar on "Current Status of
Circular Economy in Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects" held at Federation of
Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Auditorium this
morning, said a press release.
"A maximum of 40 per cent plastic waste is recycled in the country and the
remaining 60 per cent plastic waste falls on land or in reservoirs, rivers-
canals or seas and causing environmental pollution.... for solving this
problem, a total four new projects aimed at sustainable waste management to
be launched soon," he said.
Waste reduction, recycling and recycling (Three R) strategies for
management have been formulated for environmentally friendly waste
management, said the Minister.
"Along with development in the country, we have to strive for conservation
of environment and biodiversity and tackling climate change," he added.
The Minister further said that implementation of "Circular Economy" in the
country would reduce the extraction of underground and surface resources,
ensure sustainable use of raw materials, reduce wastage of resources, reduce
the amount of waste generated during the process and most importantly climate
change.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun was present as the chief
guest at the seminar with FBCCI President M Jasim Uddin in the chair.
The panelists were Professor of Independent University Mizan R Khan,
Professor, Senior Environmental Specialist, Environmental, Natural Resources
and Blue Economy Global Practice Young Zoo Ellison, M Mosharraf Hossain from
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong
and Professor AK Enamul Hoque were present, among others.