The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) approved the draft directive for the management and recycling of the telecom-sector e-waste.
The telecom regulator gave a nod to the directive in a recent meeting.
The directive states that prior permission must be taken from the Commission for the management of any e-waste and that the responsible organisations could not conduct the e-waste management activities in any populated or residential area.
It further states that telecom equipment collected through electronic waste management could not be marketed in the country as a refurbished device in any way.
All telecom and IT e-waste producers must submit detailed reports to BTRC about their products and waste.
On June 20, 2021, BTRC issued a notification providing draft guidelines for the e-waste management recycling system.
In the context of the generation of e-waste in large amounts in the telecommunications sector of Bangladesh, the BTRC directive for its environmentally-friendly management and recycling is essential.
The directive splits e-waste into the following five categories-- household electronic equipment, IT and communication equipment such as cell phones, switches, routers and hard drives; entertainment-related electronic equipment such as TV and video games; electronic utility equipment such as remote controls and electric heating pads; office and medical equipment such as dialysis machines, imaging equipment and copiers.
According to the directive, the manufacturers, users, and repairers of telecommunication equipment, as well as telecommunication carriers (e.g., cell phone companies, broadcasters, data carriers, etc.) are to be considered as generators of e-waste.
E-waste shall be managed by an organisation approved or licensed by the Department of Environment (DOE), following proper procedures, says the directive.
E-waste shall be collected through consumer care centres or service centres.
The BTRC directive says the manufacturers of telecommunication equipment shall comply with the conditions stated in the license and follow the conditions in order to recycle the manufactured equipment.
It mentions export of collected e-waste shall be done in accordance with the export policy set by the government.
Collected telecommunication equipment shall not be sold as recycled products, the directive says.
It also says legal action will be taken by the BTRC if environmental damage is proven during e-waste management.
The directive also asks to take steps to raise public awareness of the risks and hazards of e-waste.
