The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) promises a future of hyper-connected cities, intelligent automation, ubiquitous sensors, and AI-driven efficiency. For Bangladesh, embracing these technologies is not just a dream-it is a necessity for economic advancement, better governance, and the improvement of millions of lives. However, amid the excitement and rapid adoption of digital tools, a serious and largely overlooked crisis is brewing: the massive and growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste). Ignoring this shadow while pursuing the promises of 4IR is akin to constructing a glittering skyscraper on a foundation of quicksand. The time for action is not tomorrow-it is now.
In today's world, devices such as smartphones, laptops, trimmers, and IoT gadgets are produced with intentionally short life spans, driven by relentless software updates and marketing. As a result, most devices are disposed of within just two to three years of use. Rarely do consumers consider the fate of their discarded electronics. Yet, each disposed device adds to a rapidly growing pile of industrial e-waste that is complex, toxic, and difficult to manage.
The vision of 4IR depends on universal connectivity, which implies the production and use of billions of sensors, wearable gadgets, smart home devices, controllers, and network infrastructure components. These, too, will eventually become waste. In Bangladesh, the widespread adoption of affordable electronics, often imported from China, has democratized access to technology. While this is a positive development, the absence of an organized disposal or recycling system for these products is setting the stage for a severe environmental and public health disaster. Furthermore, the shift to 5G, cloud computing, and AI will involve the replacement of vast amounts of telecom and data center equipment, further accelerating the problem.
Though e-waste is a global issue, Bangladesh is especially vulnerable due to its population density, limited resources, and lack of structured waste management systems. The country generates more than 400,000 metric tons of e-waste annually, with Dhaka alone producing around 3,000 tons every day. Projections indicate this volume will nearly double by 2030. Alarmingly, over 90 percent of this e-waste is handled by roughly one million informal workers, many of whom are children. These workers use hazardous and primitive methods such as open burning and acid baths to extract metals. In the process, they expose themselves and their communities to toxic substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and dioxins. These poisons leach into the soil and waterways, contaminating groundwater and entering the food chain. The resulting health effects include respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders, cancer, and reproductive issues.
As Bangladesh grapples with the escalating consequences of climate change, including frequent flooding, the risks associated with e-waste are further amplified. Floodwaters can disperse these toxins across vast areas, affecting agriculture and water systems. Rising temperatures can also increase the volatility and environmental spread of hazardous substances. While Bangladesh has rules and regulations for hazardous and e-waste management, enforcement remains weak due to a lack of infrastructure, inadequate institutional capacity, and limited funding. The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), where manufacturers are made responsible for the end-of-life disposal of their products, has not been effectively implemented.
Ironically, these discarded electronics also present a major economic opportunity. Abandoned devices are often rich in valuable materials like gold, silver, copper, and rare earth elements-often in higher concentrations than those found in natural ores. Currently, informal workers recover only a small portion of these resources, and the rest contributes to pollution. With the right investment and innovation, Bangladesh could emerge as a leader in "Urban Mining 4.0" by using artificial intelligence for sorting, sensor-based separation, and advanced recycling technologies such as hydrometallurgy or bioleaching. This would enable safe and efficient recovery of valuable materials, helping to build a sustainable circular economy.
The risks of improper e-waste disposal are not only environmental or health-related. They also include data security concerns. Improperly discarded phones, laptops, and servers pose massive risks of personal and institutional data breaches. Secure recycling of digital hardware is thus a critical element of national cybersecurity strategy. Moreover, the increasing complexity of small smart devices requires that they be designed for disassembly and long-term use from the outset. Blockchain technology could also be deployed to ensure transparent tracking of e-waste from collection through recycling, helping enforce EPR and prevent leakage into the informal sector.
Addressing the e-waste crisis in Bangladesh requires an integrated national strategy grounded in innovation, regulation, and social justice. The establishment of easily accessible collection centers in retail outlets and communities must be prioritized, along with small-scale modular recycling units placed near existing informal hubs. These units should employ safer recycling methods and bring informal workers into formal cooperatives with fair wages, safety equipment, skills training, and healthcare. Simultaneously, Bangladesh needs to invest in large-scale, centralized recycling facilities equipped with cutting-edge technologies, while offering economic incentives for industries focused on component refurbishment, remanufacturing, and e-waste recycling.
Universities and research institutions have a key role to play in developing cost-effective, locally adapted recycling technologies suited to new and emerging electronic materials. Public awareness is equally critical. Campaigns through social media, community outreach, and influencers must educate the public on responsible disposal practices, health risks, and the potential value of e-waste. Promoting a culture of repair and longer product use will help shift public attitudes from seeing e-waste as garbage to recognizing it as a resource.
Finally, EPR must be made mandatory and strictly enforced. Producers and importers must meet clear recycling quotas and collection targets. Monitoring should be enabled through digital platforms. At the same time, tax incentives and subsidies can support manufacturers who design durable, repairable, and recyclable products.
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. The opportunities offered by the Fourth Industrial Revolution are immense, but moving forward without addressing the e-waste crisis will lead to environmental degradation, public health emergencies, and economic loss. The solutions are available. The technologies are emerging. What is needed now is political will, entrepreneurial drive, and collective responsibility. Bangladesh must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that its digital future is not buried under a toxic legacy, but built on the principles of sustainability, equity, and resilience.
The writer is Principal Officer,Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation
