While authorities in Bangladesh have shown increasing concern over environmental issues, including the preservation of St. Martin’s Island, another alarming crisis remains largely unaddressed. If immediate steps are not taken, Bangladesh could face a severe environmental disaster by 2041.

According to environmental experts, by that year, the country’s waste production is expected to reach a staggering 142,322 tons per day, surpassing landfill capacity and exacerbating pollution. This will pose a severe threat to public health, contribute to rising cases of dengue and other diseases, and worsen urban challenges such as water stagnation and blocked sewerage systems.

Experts highlight that improving the current solid waste management system is one of the primary challenges for most municipalities in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka. Currently, large quantities of solid waste in Dhaka are being dumped at both informal and formal yet unsanitary sites, endangering public health and the ecological environment. Since the current system mainly relies on landfilling and open dumping without source separation at the household level, a new integrated waste management system is urgently needed. Such a system should align with the legal framework for waste management while addressing the city’s specific needs.

Research based on secondary data analysis and literature reviews suggests that only an integrated approach – starting with source segregation and extending to composting organic waste – can be an effective solution.

Additionally, producing refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from non-compostable, high-calorific-value waste can significantly reduce the city’s landfill burden.

In 2020, Bangladeshi authorities initiated plans to install two waste-to-energy (WTE) power plants in Dhaka, utilizing daily waste to create a cleaner and more habitable city. On September 16, 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase approved a proposal from a private bidder to establish a waste-based power plant on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis in Narayanganj. The private bidder, a joint venture comprising UD Environmental Equipment Technology Co. Ltd., Everbright Environmental Protection Technology Equipment (Changzhou) Limited, and SABS Syndicate, was set to develop a 6 MW power plant in Jalkuri, Narayanganj.

Following an open international tender, an agreement was signed between Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), and U&D Environmental Equipment Technology Co. Ltd. to develop the 6 MW NCC waste-to-energy (WTE) plant under an independent power producer (IPP) model at a rate of USD 20.91 cents per kWh for 20 years. However, U&D Environmental Equipment Technology Co. Ltd. later withdrew from the project due to disagreements over contract terms. Authorities have yet to provide a clear explanation for the company’s abrupt withdrawal.

Experts argue that the project failed due to mismanagement by the BPDB, which selected an unqualified bidder, ultimately causing the company to abandon the project. Some BPDB officials, speaking anonymously, claim that serious irregularities plagued the project and that BPDB was pressured into signing an agreement with an underqualified bidder.

Meanwhile, as the NCC waste-to-electricity project collapsed, both the media and authorities have largely ignored the issue to avoid controversy. Nearly five years after the agreement was signed, there is still no progress, nor have authorities initiated an alternative plan by canceling the September 2020 agreement and reopening the project for fresh international bidding to select a qualified bidder.

According to media reports, NCC serves nearly 2 million residents across 27 wards within a 72.43 square kilometer area, making waste management a significant challenge. Despite various developmental initiatives such as road construction and drainage improvements, waste management remains critically neglected. The failure to implement sustainable waste management strategies has led to severe environmental and public health issues, with many areas turning into open dumping grounds and pollution worsening.

A field survey across multiple NCC wards revealed a dire situation: household waste is indiscriminately dumped in open spaces, canals, ponds, and drains. In the absence of a structured waste collection and disposal system, garbage accumulates wherever vacant land is available, transforming Narayanganj into an unsanitary and polluted urban area.

Former mayor of NCC, Selina Hayat Ivy initially proposed the project with the vision of creating a permanent waste disposal and energy generation facility. The government approved the plan, directing NCC to allocate 10 acres of landfill space for the waste-based power plant. In 2018, an MoU was signed with the Power Development Board (PDB) to develop the plant, which was awarded to Chinese companies, including UD Environmental Equipment Technology Company Limited, Everbright Environmental Protection Technical Equipment (Changzhou) Limited, and SABS Syndicate. The project aimed to generate 6 MW of electricity from 600 tons of daily waste.

However, financial complications soon derailed the project. After conducting trial operations, the Chinese company requested an increase in capacity from 6 MW to 10 MW due to financial discrepancies. The government insisted on commencing operations at 6 MW before approving any capacity increase. When the company failed to start work on time, the government ultimately canceled the contract, leaving the project in limbo.

The waste-to-energy (WTE) concept has been successfully implemented in many developed nations. Countries such as Sweden, Germany, and Japan have leveraged waste-based power generation to address both waste disposal and energy shortages. By converting garbage into electricity, these nations have significantly reduced landfill waste while contributing to their national power grids.

Efforts to implement such a system within Bangladesh are ongoing. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has launched a waste-to-energy project in Aminbazar, expected to begin operations by 2026. This plant will generate 42.5 MW of electricity daily, significantly alleviating waste-related issues in the capital. Spanning 30 acres, the project is being implemented by China Machinery Engineering Corporation under DNCC’s initiative. Once completed, it promises to revolutionize waste management by converting garbage into a valuable resource while ensuring a cleaner and more environmentally friendly Dhaka.

Addressing Bangladesh’s waste crisis requires urgent and coordinated action from both government and private stakeholders. Without sustainable and effective waste management policies, cities will continue to suffer from rising pollution, public health risks, and environmental degradation. Learning from global best practices and ensuring transparency in project implementation will be key to overcoming these challenges. Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture – either it takes decisive action now or risks facing an irreversible environmental catastrophe in the coming decades.

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