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Govt plans energy from waste


Published : 26 Apr 2019 08:39 PM | Updated : 03 Sep 2020 10:33 AM

The government is going to take initiatives to generate electricity from waste and garbage. Earlier, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) took the steps but its move failed due to various reasons. But, at last, both DSCC and North City Corporation (DNCC) will sit today (Saturday) to prepare a draft on how electricity can be produced from waste and garbage, sources said. After preparing the draft, city corporations will sit on Sunday with Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD) Ministry to finalize the draft, city corporation sources said.

DSCC Chief executive officer, Mostafizur Rahman, told Bangladesh Post on Friday, “According to the decision of LGRD ministry, a sub-committee has been formed with a view to producing electricity from waste and proper management of the vast waste of city corporations.” “DSCC and DNCC Mayors, Chief Executive Officers, waste management departments of two city corporations and power division will sit in a meeting on Saturday to prepare a draft in this regard and after that we will sit with LGRD ministry on Sunday”, said Mostafizur Rahman.

According to current statistics, about 15,000 tonnes of solid waste is produced daily in the country’s city corporation and municipal areas. Due to the increase in waste production, there will be 25,500 tonnes waste by 2030, and 40,000 tonnes waste by 2040 in city corporations and municipalities while about 9,000 tonnes by 2030, and 15,000 tonnes waste will be produced by 2040 only in DSCC and DNCC areas, according to statistics.

According to the current statistics, DNCC areas produce 2,800 tonnes and DSCC areas produce about 3,000 tonnes of waste daily, of which 80 percent is dumped at Matuail landfill waste. But it would not be possible to dump any more waste in that area after one year. To transfer waste of Dhaka Metropolitan area, DNCC has 52 secondary transfer stations (STS) and DSCC has 22 secondary transfer stations currently.

Besides, according to the current statistics from LGRD ministry, Chittagong City Corporation area produces about 2000 to 2,500 tonnes, Khulna produces 700 to 850 tonnes, Rajshahi produces 350 to 400 tonnes, Narayanganj produces 800 tonnes, Gazipur produces 1,500 tonnes, Barisal produces 200 tonnes, Sylhet produces 280 tonnes, Comilla produces 120 to 130 tonnes, Rangpur produces 50 to 60 tonnes, and Mymensingh city corporation area produces 280 tonnes of solid waste daily.

LGRD Ministry has taken initiative to produce energy from this waste through recycling and burning. LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Thursday said, “Economic condition of our people has improved. The amount of food has also increased. The waste from food should be managed properly. If we can manage it properly, SDG target no 11 will be implemented.” The minister also said, “Many initiatives had been taken to recycle waste before I became Minister. However, they could not implemented. This time, some of LGRD Ministry officials have visited different countries include Thailand and Singapore. Our officials are reviewing their (Foreign) method of producing electricity. We will consider the method of Singapore and Thailand.”

DSCC Assistant Engineer (waste management) AHM Abdullah Harun told Bangladesh Post, “Earlier, DSCC undertook some initiatives to generate electricity by burning wastes of the city corporation. But, it had not been approved as a project. This time LGRD ministry has taken it seriously.” Replying to a query, Abdullah Harun said, “It is not possible to say now how many megawatts electricity will be produced by burning waste. Our main target is to reduce waste and produce electricity as a byproduct.”

Abdullah Harun said, “After burning electric wastes, coal-like substance will be made from the remains and that will be used in coal-based power plants and big brickfields.”
The electricity to be generated from the waste, will be given to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to use in Dhaka city, he added. About environment pollution, DSCC officials said, the city corporation wants to install plants in the fireplace that do not generate heat at 600 to 800 centigrade. This will have no possibility of environment pollution.