Waste recycling in Bangladesh

Introduction:
No resource is infinite in nature. The amount of mineral or any other resource is limited. The amount of these resources in Bangladesh is more limited. After using that limited resource, we throw away most of it as waste. But we do not know that this waste material can be turned into a resource. In order to know how to turn waste into resources, one must first have a clear idea about waste management. The key to waste management is 3R.
R = Reduce
R = Reuse
R = Recycling
Reduce: That is to reduce the production of waste materials and reduce the waste in the environment.
Reuse: Waste material should be made reusable. For example: plastic bottles can be cleaned and reused after the first use, various designs and toys can be made. After using paper, it can be used for business purposes by making sticks. Besides, various toys and designs can be made with paper.
Recycling: The recycling is the process by which old or waste material is replaced by new material.
 Purpose of recycling:
1. Prevent wastage of widely used items
2. Save energy
3. Reduce production costs
4. Reduce the use of new raw materials
5. Reduce air, water and soil pollution
6. To preserve the source of natural resources
The recycling process is done with different types of waste materials. 1) Organic waste 2) Plastic and polymer waste 3) E-waste 4) Solid and metallic waste 5) Gaseous waste 6) Liquid waste and others. Some waste materials are  recycled directly, such as metal waste, plastic and polymer waste. Again some of the waste material is recycled and converted into different new materials such as organic waste.

1) Organic waste recycling:
Some of the organic wastes are biodegradable wastes which are broken down by microorganisms and there are some indigestible wastes which cannot be easily broken down by microorganisms.
Recycling of biodegradable organic waste: Decomposable organic waste includes dung, animal excrement, fallen tree leaves, food scraps etc.
•Biogas production can be done by setting up a biogas plant from dung and animal manure and organic manure can be extracted from the remaining slurry in the plant. Many cattle farmers and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh have already successfully started production of biogas and organic manure.
•Biogas and organic manure can also be produced from food scraps
•It is possible to produce organic manure and fuel from the fallen leaves of trees.
•The environment can be kept pollution free by recycling medicines

• Indigestible Organic Waste: Indigestible organic matter includes textile materials, plastic derivatives. Pops, various designs and toys can be made without throwing away the textile material after long use. The recycling process can also be reused in the textile industry.

2) Recycling of plastic and polymer products:
Polythene and plastic waste are the most common waste products in the world, they are also the most harmful to the environment because they do not break down into the soil by microorganisms. So plastic must be recycled to protect the environment. Petroleum can be produced by thermal diplomaization in a plastic product recycling plant and by hydrocarbonation of methane, ethane, benzene etc. by pyrolysis and re-polymerization process by polythene, polystyrene, PVC, polypropylene, Teflon etc. It is also possible to make jerseys by recycling plastic.

3)E-waste recycling: Electronics waste includes damaged mobiles, computers, televisions, radios, batteries etc. which are used to make various precious metals including copper, silver, gold. In the recycling process, precious metals like copper, silver, gold, iron, mercury, etc. can be easily extracted from these electronics. Research has shown that it is possible to get about 350 grams of gold by recycling 1 ton of e-waste. Plastic can also be recycled from e-waste.
4) Recycling of solid and metallic wastes:

• Glass recycling:

Glass is a 100% recyclable material. Glass does not mix with soil. So it is possible to re-produce new glass in the process of recycling from broken waste glass. Glass is also used in the production of bricks and ceramics. Glass recycling factories have been set up at Hazaribagh, Pasta and Katasur in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• Copper recycling:

Copper is also a 100% recyclable metal. Copper is recycled from damaged electric motor coils, broken copper pots, electric copper wires, transformers and e-waste. Bangladesh has the largest number of copper recycling factories.

• Iron recycling:

There are no iron mines in Bangladesh so there is no possibility of getting iron ore. For this, iron recycling is required to meet the demand of iron in the country. In Bangladesh, factories have already been set up in Wari, Demra, Pestagola and Shampur of Dhaka where recycling of iron and steel has started. The recycling process can save 75% of energy in making steel.

• Aluminum recycling:

There are no aluminum mines in Bangladesh. So recycling is the only hope to meet the demand for aluminum in this country. Interestingly, aluminum is a 100% recyclable metal and this process saves 95% of production cost. Aluminum recycling can be used to make aircraft, automobiles, bicycles, computers, airplanes, cooking pots and pans. Aluminum recycling factories have been set up at Pesta Gola and Shampur in Chittagong and Dhaka.
5) Recycling of gaseous waste:
 It is possible to produce various gases and acids required in the recycling process from gaseous wastes like factory wash, brick kiln wash etc.
6) Liquid waste recycling:
Water can be supplied to the biogas plant by recycling liquid wastes from textiles and other industries, household wastes and the necessary chemicals can be segregated.
7) Recycling of other wastes

• Paper recycling:

One of the essential elements used in our daily life is paper. If this paper can be recycled in a scientific way without wasting it after use, then paper production cost can be reduced by 40-60%, water pollution by 35% and air pollution by 74%. Books, notebooks, boards, toys, designs, cartoons, etc. can be made with recycled paper.

• Egg shell and bone recycling: Calcium food can be produced for animals and fish in the recycling process without leaving egg shell and meat bones, fish cut waste in the ground.

Conclusion:
In a developing country like Bangladesh, there is great potential for waste recycling industry. Recycling will play a big role in creating young entrepreneurs and will also create employment opportunities. The socio-economic condition of the country will improve and the balance of the environment will be maintained. Recycling plants are already being set up in different parts of the country. But the amount of waste generated in the country is not being recycled at the same rate due to lack of adequate recycling plants. For this, the government has to set up adequate recycling plants in different parts of the country. If necessary, public awareness can be created by enacting waste management laws.