A seminar in Dhaka on Wednesday 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.
Organised by GramBangla Unnayan Committee 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.
Participants also highlighted potential public health risks associated with waste incineration, saying inadequate management could release toxic air pollutants, hazardous ash and persistent organic pollutants, posing risks to nearby communities, workers and the environment.
The seminar also focused on the likely impact of the proposed WTE projects on informal waste collectors.
Presenting findings from a multi-stakeholder consultation held at Harir Patti in Aminbazar on June 28, organisers said waste pickers expressed concerns that future landfill access could be restricted, recyclable materials diverted to incineration facilities and manual sorting replaced by mechanised systems.
According to the consultation, around 200 to 250 waste pickers work directly in the Harir Patti area, while nearly 2,500 people depend on the surrounding informal recycling network for their livelihoods.
"Waste management must protect both people and the environment. Electricity generation should not come at the expense of public health, recycling systems or the livelihoods of waste pickers," Maksud said.
He called for strengthening waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and zero-waste approaches while ensuring a just transition that leaves no one behind.
Kulsum Begum said waste pickers depend on collecting recyclable materials from landfills and warned that incinerating such materials would eliminate their income and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of families.
Rina Begum said waste pickers were not opposed to improved waste management but urged the government to ensure that any new project safeguards their jobs, health and future, including providing alternative employment and necessary support if required.
The seminar concluded with a call for evidence-based waste management policies that prioritise environmental sustainability, climate resilience, public health and social justice. Participants also urged the government to fully implement the 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) strategy, enforce existing waste management laws, expand composting and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and invest in green jobs and the circular economy.
