For the purpose of this study we have used systematic and objective process for gathering, recording and analyzing data. We have tried to avoid distorting effects of personal bias as possible. For the purpose of the research first of all we have tried to identify the issues. Then we tried to diagnosis the problems. At the end we selected and evaluated the courses of actions.
Recyclable Product From the fieldwork we have identified the following probable recyclable product: (i) Plastic (ii) Raw paper (iii) Rubber (iv) Iron (v) Aluminum (vi) PET Bottle (vii) Glass and (viii) Tin Collection of Recyclable product We found that most of the recyclable products are collected from various places which are: (i) Dumping ground (ii) Whole seller (iii) Retail seller (iv) Houses Probable economic impact of waste recycling in Bangladesh Recycling could have significant impact on our economy by the following ways: 1. Huge number of people could be employed in recyclable enterprise, which would lower the unemployment rate of our economy. 2. We can use our limited resources optimally and efficiently. 3. It could reduce our dependence on imported foreign raw materials. 4. Obviously it will reduce the pollution problem of our Country. 5. Over all it could contribute substantially in our GDP.
Recycling scenario in this country: Plastic: Bangladesh achieves close to the 100 percent recycling rate for its plastic waste, and thus appears to have one of the most efficient plastics recycling systems in the world, driven by the economic necessity, which is associated with poverty. The minimization of the uncertainties associated with the present system of plastic recycling, particularly the quality and quantity of both the reclaimed plastic and recycled products have become one of the key issues in solid waste management (SWM) in Dhaka. Economic and social forces have concentrated all stages of this recycling process in the older part of Dhaka. Five to eight operational stages in the plastic recycling stream have been identified. The key activities are collection of wastes, and their sorting into resin types and colour classes. An average daily total of 33 tonnes of post-user plastic waste from all parts of the country are accumulated and subsequently recycled. The dirty plastic waste is only recycled into low-grade products. Both conceptual and technological advances in waste collection, disposal, processing and reprocessing methods would help to improve the current recycling system and, thus, the quality of the recycled products too.
Ship Breaking A number of industries in Bangladesh, particularly those requiring steel products, rely on the shipbreaking yards to supply those with raw materials. In Bangladesh, the ship-breaking industry is the main source of raw material for the steel industry, as the nation has no domestic sources of iron ore and is faced with high prices for "new" steel in the international market. However, the ship-breaking industry has never been regulated and falls short in many respects of international standards. At present, a total of 32 ship-breaking yards are operating regularly on the beaches north of Chittagong, and those dismantle and recycle around 60-80 large ocean-going ships every year. Few of these recycling yards are registered under the national Factories Act 1965, but existing labour laws do not cover their workers. Ship breaking is generally done manually and with very little protection for the workers dismantling huge vessels directly on the open beach. For the workers, it is dangerous, and accidents causing injury, disability or death are not uncommon. In addition, such work is very poorly paid (US$ 20-60 per month) and mostly accepted only by men from poverty-stricken areas in northern Bangladesh. Most workers are employed on a day-to-day basis, and their wages, hours of works and overtime payment fail to meet the minimum labour standards. Moreover, the improper disposal of harmful chemicals around ship-breaking yards is not only hazardous for the workers, but also a serious source of pollution of the surrounding environment.
Aluminum Can and Paper From our study we found that the following activities are involved in recycling aluminum can and paper in our country. The steps are given below: 1. Collection of aluminum can and paper 2. Aluminum cans are pressed as blocks. Then it is melted and made into roll. After that it is ready for reuse. 3. Usually paper is reused directly for making bags (Thonga), but some times it has been converted into pulp for recycling.
Household Wastes Most of the house hold wastes are not being recycled properly in our country. So there is a great potentiality for this item. It could be used as a raw material for the production of biogas and organic manure, which are very important raw materials in the context of our country. It is possible to establish commercially viable private enterprise for this purpose. Currently government has realized the importance of recycling of household wastes are agreed to start a pilot project with JICA to produce electricity and manure from household leftover.