Bangladesh
Waste Management Two years in jail for dumping waste in drain and road
Dhaka, December 29: The government has enacted the ‘Solid Waste Management Rules 2021’ with a provision of maximum two years imprisonment or a fine of Tk 2,00,000 or both for dumping waste in drains or water or incineration in open space. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has recently issued a notification of the rules.
The rules specify the responsibilities of waste generators and users, the responsibilities of the organization, the responsibilities of the manufacturer or importer of goods, the responsibilities of local government authorities and other authorities. Manufacturers or importers of biodegradable products under the Extended Responsibility of Manufacturers (EPR) will have to co-operate with the government in the field of waste disposal or recycling. According to the rules, manufacturers have to provide necessary manpower along with financing for waste management.
Additional Secretary (Environmental Pollution Control Division) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Keya Khan told Jago News in this regard, "We have brought a lot into these rules. I think if the rules are implemented, there will be further improvement in waste management."
She said, "Waste management is mainly done by city corporations under the local government department. This is their responsibility. All the countries of the world have indigestible waste including plastic. Our problem is we can't manage that. We have made the rules keeping that in mind."
"One of the important issues in the rules is Extended Producer Responsibility (ERP). Those whose products are causing waste have been brought under the responsibility. Their responsibilities in waste recycling and disposal have been fixed. This will be done through EPR. The matter has been included in the rules," she added.
