GramBangla Unnayan Committee today organized a seminar titled “Waste-to-Energy: Impacts on the Environment, Public Health, Recycling Industry, and the Livelihoods of Waste Pickers” at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity. The seminar brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, environmental experts, development partners, media professionals, researchers, and waste picker representatives to discuss the potential implications of wasteto-energy (WTE) incineration projects in Bangladesh. In this seminar Rina Begum , president ,Bangladesh waste pickers union and Kulsum Begum(secretary general ,Bangladesh waste pickers union and President of Earth Foundation Mr Aminul Islam Bakul presided over the program , A K M Maksud, Executive Director of GramBangla Unnayan Committee was present and discussed in the topic of this Waste-toEnergy: Impacts on the Environment, Public Health, Recycling Industry, and the Livelihoods of Waste Pickers . Presenting the keynote paper, A K M Maksud, Executive Director of GramBangla Unnayan Committee, highlighted the rapidly growing waste challenge in Bangladesh and globally. He noted that the world currently generates around 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, a figure projected to increase to 3.88 billion tonnes by 2050. Bangladesh’s urban areas are expected to generate approximately 17.2 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, creating an urgent need for environmentally sound and socially inclusive waste management solutions. Referring to the proposed Waste-to-Energy initiatives in Dhaka, Barishal and other parts of the country, he explained that while incineration is often promoted as a solution for waste management and electricity generation, it also raises important environmental, economic, public health and social concerns. He noted that Bangladesh’s municipal waste is largely mixed and contains high moisture, making large-scale incineration technically challenging and reducing its energy efficiency. The keynote paper emphasized that waste incineration requires a continuous supply of combustible waste, which may compete directly with waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting efforts. Speakers observed that recyclable materials such as plastics, paper, cardboard and textiles are valuable resources that support Bangladesh’s recycling industry and circular economy, and burning these materials could reduce resource recovery while increasing dependence on virgin raw materials. The seminar also highlighted potential public health concerns associated with waste incineration. Speakers noted that incineration can generate toxic air pollutants, hazardous ash and persistent organic pollutants if not properly managed, posing risks to nearby communities, workers and the surrounding environment. Participants stressed that protecting public health should remain a central consideration in future waste management planning. A major focus of the seminar was the impact of proposed WTE projects on the livelihoods of informal waste workers. GramBangla Unnayan Committee shared findings from a grassroots multi-stakeholder consultation held on 28 June 2026 in Haddipotti, Aminbazar, where waste pickers, scrap dealers and community representatives discussed the possible implications of the proposed North Dhaka Waste-to-Energy project. During the consultation, waste pickers expressed concern that access to landfill sites could be restricted, recyclable materials diverted to incineration, and mechanized sorting systems could gradually replace manual waste recovery. They feared these changes would significantly reduce their incomes and weaken the informal recycling chain that supports thousands of workers and their families. Participants emphasized that around 200–250 waste pickers work directly in the Haddipotti area, while an estimated 2,500 people are connected to the broader informal recycling network across nearby communities. A K M Maksud stated, “Waste management should protect both people and the environment. Energy recovery must not come at the cost of public health, recycling, or the livelihoods of waste pickers. Bangladesh should strengthen waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and Zero Waste approaches while ensuring a just transition that leaves no one behind.” Speakers further emphasized that waste pickers play a vital role in recovering recyclable materials, reducing landfill waste and supporting Bangladesh’s recycling economy. They called for stronger implementation of the Government’s 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) Strategy, enforcement of existing waste management regulations, expansion of composting and material recovery facilities, and greater investment in green jobs and circular economy initiatives. A waste picker name Kulsum said We survive by collecting recyclable materials from the landfill. If the waste is burned instead of recycled, we will lose our income and many families will have no way to earn a living.” Another participant Rina Begum added, “We are not against improving waste management, but any new project should protect our jobs, our health, and our future. If the project goes ahead, the government must ensure alternative livelihoods and support for waste pickers The seminar concluded with a call for evidence-based waste management policies that prioritize environmental sustainability, climate resilience, public health and social justice. Participants urged policymakers, development partners and financial institutions to ensure that future waste management investments safeguard the rights and livelihoods of informal waste workers while promoting sustainable alternatives such as recycling, composting and Zero Waste systems. GramBangla Unnayan Committee reaffirmed its commitment to working with communities, policymakers and development partners to promote inclusive, rights-based and environmentally sustainable waste management solutions in Bangladesh.