Waste management remains one of the most pressing challenges for governments worldwide. According to available statistics, the waste generation rate in Bangladesh was estimated to be 0.52 kg per capita per day in 2021. Projections indicate that the daily waste generation rate is expected to rise to 0.80 kg per capita per day by 2030 and 1.19 kg per capita by 2041.

The total amount of waste generated daily in Bangladesh has been increasing steadily since 1991. In that year, urban areas in Bangladesh produced approximately 6,493 tons of municipal solid waste per day. By 2005, that figure had more than doubled to 13,330 tons per day. By 2014, the estimated daily waste generation had surged to 23,688 tons. Simultaneously, rapid urbanization has caused the urban population to grow from 21 million in 1991 to 33 million in 2005. By 2021, this number had reached approximately 65 million, with projections estimating an urban population of 85 million by 2030 and 119 million by 2041. Correspondingly, total waste generation is expected to reach a staggering 142,322 tons per day by 2041. Notably, since 2005, the rate of increase in daily waste generation has outpaced population growth due to a rise in the average per capita waste generation rate.

The rapid economic development of Bangladesh between 2009 and 2024, coupled with its growing population, has exacerbated environmental issues. Dhaka is now considered one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Currently, garbage disposal methods rely on open-air storage and landfills, leading to severe water, air, and land pollution. Additionally, the existing landfill capacity is nearing exhaustion, and the scarcity of land in and around Dhaka limits the possibility........

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