Yeakub Ali Shakil

Global Recycling Day, observed annually on March 18, encourages everyone to take a fresh look at their garbage. The program acts as a reminder that a large portion of our garbage is recyclable, reusable, or not trash at all. Global Recycling Day was instituted by the Bureau of International Recycling in 2018. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation acknowledged the event that same year. In order to assist minimise the amount of waste we produce, organisations from all around the world have since joined the observance by sponsoring activities that raise awareness and promote global cooperation. Surprisingly, an incredible 2.12 billion tonnes of trash are dumped globally.

Food waste, electronics waste, paper waste, and much more are included in that figure. If we particularly look into the real scenario of Bangladesh. Research by the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) found that only 21.4% of the 3.15 to 3.84 billion single-use plastic (SUP) bottles produced in Bangladesh each year get recycled. Another latest report published by Waste Concern shown that in Bangladesh's cities, an average of 33,57.31 tonnes of garbage were produced daily in 2021. This translated to 12,254,623.15 tonnes annually, or 1,021,218.59 tonnes each month.About 502,077.01 tonnes of CO2 every month, or 6,024,924.20 tonnes of CO2 annually, would have been produced if all of this rubbish had been landfilled. Similar report reveals a link with higher population and waste generation. According to estimates, there would be 119 million people living in cities by 2041 and that year, the total amount of waste generated is anticipated to reach 142,322 tonnes per day. So, there is a connection between a bigger urban population and more waste being produced.

In Bangladesh, poor waste disposal management has a major negative impact on the ecosystem, especially on the soil, air, and river systems. Because, Bangladeshi landfills frequently lack adequate containment mechanisms, leachate, a liquid that drains from waste materials, percolates into the nearby soil. High levels of contaminants, such as heavy metals, are present in this waste and have the potential to change the physicochemical characteristics of the soil. By decreasing soil fertility and possibly making its way into the food chain through crops cultivated in polluted areas.

Then, by releasing dangerous materials into the environment, such as particulate matter and hazardous gases, the practice of burning rubbish in open landfills adds to air pollution. In addition to contributing to more general environmental problems like smog formation, these pollutants may cause respiratory disorders in those who live close. Increased rates of pneumonia, bronchial illnesses, and other health problems among nearby communities in Dhaka have been connected to the burning of rubbish in landfills.

Additionally, rubbish dumping has a serious negative impact on rivers, especially those that pass-through cities like Dhaka. For instance, the direct discharge of residential waste, medical waste, industrial effluents, and other pollutants has made the Buriganga River one of the most polluted rivers in the nation. In addition to lowering the quality of the water, this pollution damages aquatic ecosystems and endangers the health of the communities that depend on these water supplies.

Thus, there is not alternative to recycle and reuse the wastes from different sources. Surprisingly, according to Asia-Europe Foundation in Bangladeshi cities, on average, 55% of solid waste goes uncollected let alone recycle. Thus, the household to industry owners and managers, everyone should be concern on recycling the waste to safeguard Bangladesh from upcoming threats. Before final waste disposal, steps like waste reduction, reusing, recycling, recovering, and refining should be followed sequentially. Obeying to the Solid Waste Management Rule 2021, the local administration should publish ‘Annual Waste Report’ every fiscal year to reveal the actual scenario of that area.

Moreover, The National 3R Strategy for Waste management 2010 should be adhered to helping mitigate some of the environmental, social, and economic effects resulting from current disposal practices. This strategy focusses on identifying the main problems and obstacles related to waste management, outlining the roles of different actors in order to promote 3R, and offering guidance on how to create and enable conditions for the successful implementation of 3R in Bangladesh. Finally, public and industrial awareness will help in increasing recycling practice and protecting Bangladesh from potential ecological threats. If we don't come up with innovative ways to get rid of and cut down on waste, eventually there won't be anywhere to put it all.

The writer is a Lecturer in Marketing Bangladesh Army International University of Science and Technology Cumilla, Bangladesh.