PC recyclers thrive in Old Dhaka
Photo: SK Enamul Haq
Abir Hossain, a business student of Northern University, came to a vangari, or scrap, shop in the city's Chankherpul area with an old 15" Samsung monitor. At a first glance, anyone would think he might come to repair his CRT monitor. Instead, Hossain came here to sell his old monitor after several failed attempts to repair it. Like Hossain, many people visit these shops to sell their old tech: monitors, casings, hard disks, ram, printers, cell phones and other electronic goods. Similar shops are in most area of capital, including Gulistan, Segun Bagicha, Elephant Road, and Old Dhaka. According to environmentalists, the huge amount of solid waste poses a serious threat to the environment and human health when not properly recycled. A study on e-waste by Sarwar Uddin Ahmed, a professor of Independent University early this year estimated that current annual e-waste from personal computers and cell phones totals 18,000 tonnes. That is more than double 2008's level, 8,917 tonnes. Much of it contains toxic metals. And the amount is climbing, according to the study, published D.Net, an eco-research NGO. At the end of 2012, the amount of e-waste from the old computers will be 17,959 tonnes, and from cell phones another 7,702 tonnes. Most observers agree that the level of recycling in Dhaka is far ahead of that in may developed countries, if only due to the poverty of the population. Interviews of Dhakaites city in the study found that only 22.8 percent said they dump electronics after they have no further use for them. Sahazhan Bhuyian, president of Dhaka Metropolitan Old Goods Merchant Co-operative, said his association had 222 members in Dhaka City, including 125 shops in Chankerpul. At least 100 non-member shops trade in obsolete and spoiled electric goods. Iqbal Hossain, a worker of Hopewell traders of Chankerpul, said the shop collects old computers and other electronics from corporate houses via tenders -- up to 600 At a time -- but do not dismantle them on site. "After collecting the appliance, we separate components under different heads for resale," he said. They send monitor to Nawabpur, the keyboard and mouse to Islambag, and a photocopy machine to Motijheel. "But we break the power-generating appliances ourselves to separate the different conductors," he added, referring to the universal power supplies. The bad smell hints at the hazards lurking in the piles of old electronics. Far worse toxins would be release if a fire broke out. According to the same study, computer and cell phone components contain lead, mercury, copper, cadmium and other toxic elements, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers known as PBDEs. These can damage human nervous, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive and liver systems. Cell phone batteries may damage kidneys, and single battery may contain enough cadmium to pollute 6 lakh litres of water. Computers become obsolete after a few years so it is normal to scrap them, said Mustafa Jabbar, president of the Bangladesh Computer Samity, the association of PC retailers. "But the important matter is how the obsolete computer is handled," he added. According to Jabbar, during the last caretaker government period, his association successfully opposed the governments' decision to import old computers in Bangladesh. "There is no policy regarding the management of e-waste in the country, and we approached the government several times to formulate a separate policy," he added. According to Jabbar, traders and users have little awareness of the danger of e-waste, and environmental ministry is apathetic. Jabbar said that in Australia, retailers of computers and other electronics collectively manage the e-waste generated from such products that are now obsolete. If the electronics sellers manage the waste from obsolete products in Bangladesh, the computer association is ready to support them, he said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments