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American Journal of   
Environment and Climate (AJEC)

Solid Waste Management System through 3R Strategy with Energy Analysis and 
Possibility of  Electricity Generation in Dhaka City of  Bangladesh

F.A. Samiul Islam1*

Volume 2 Issue 2, Year 2023
ISSN: 2832-403X (Online) 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i2.1767
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Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: June 19, 2023

Accepted: July 18, 2023

Published: July 22, 2023

Solid waste management is considered as one of  the serious environmental problems in 
developing Asian countries like Bangladesh. Although municipal authorities in the city of  
Dhaka recognize the importance of  adequate solid waste collection as well as resource 
recovery and recycling, it is beyond their resources to effectively deal with the growing 
volume of  solid waste. As a result, solid waste is dumped indiscriminately on streets and 
open drains causing serious health risks and degradation of  the living environment for 
millions of  urban people. In the last decade, the importance of  community involvement 
in solid waste management and the use of  adaptive technologies to improve solid waste 
management systems have been recognized but waste is a material that no longer serves a 
purpose and is therefore discarded. All wastes are particularly hazardous if  not disposed of  
carefully, they will have an impact on the environment, be it unsightly litter on urban streets 
or polluted air, soil, or water. Solid waste management practices are not very satisfactory 
in the recent world and adequate policies and awareness about various aspects of  waste 
management are needed to help reduce waste generation and improve waste management 
processes. This research paper has worked on Dhaka city, the capital city of  Bangladesh 
and it has tried to find out the current status of  solid waste through 3R strategy including 
energy analysis. Moreover, this paper has discussed the potential of  power generation from 
solid waste.

Keywords
3R Strategy, Electricity 
Generation, Energy Analysis, 
Environmental Benefit, Solid 
Waste Management

1 Department of  Civil Engineering, Uttara University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: samir214100@yahoo.com

INTRODUCTION 
Solid waste is generated through various human activities 
like industrialization, urbanization, improvement of  the 
standard of  living, etc. In Bangladesh, industrialization 
is growing rapidly and it is putting severe pressure 
on our natural resources, which is a major challenge 
for sustainable development. A noticeable cause of  
environmental degradation in most cities is unorganized 
waste management and dumping. A municipal corporation 
of  Dhaka city is trying to manage this problem but they 
are unable to control the waste management effectively. 
“In 2022, more than 7,500 tons of  solid waste is produced 
daily in two Dhaka city corporations.” (Prothomalo.2022) 
“Dhaka city generates a lot of  waste in various ways, such 
as in hospitals, small-scale industries, tanneries, and other 
heavy industries.” (Course Hero. 2021) “Bangladesh is the 
ninth most populous country and the twelfth most densely 
populated country in the world. Dhaka is one of  the most 
polluted cities in the world and one of  the related problems 
is solid waste management.” (Wikipedia. March 2022)
A clean city and a good environment are logical 
demands for city dwellers. Due to limited financial and 
organizational capacity, it has become really difficult for 
municipalities to ensure efficient and appropriate delivery 
of  solid waste collection and disposal services to the 
entire population. Most people are not concerned about 
solid waste management.
This is an important cause of  waste mismanagement. 
Household waste in Dhaka city is dumped on roadsides 
and open spaces. Sources of  solid waste are garbage, waste, 

sludge, and discarded materials and wastes produced by 
industries, hospitals, or household social activities. Waste 
management is a technique used primarily to collect waste 
from various sources, including recycling and reused 
materials.

Objectives
1. To discuss the sources and composition of  solid 

waste in Dhaka city.
2. To identify the type of  solid waste available in Dhaka 

city.
3. To discuss the education level of  solid waste workers 

in Dhaka city.
4. Discussing public participation in recycling, 

employment, and financial benefits.
5. To discuss organic, inorganic, and hazardous solid 

waste items.
6. To evaluate the effectiveness of  3R principles, i.e. 

recycle, reuse, and reduce as an improved solid waste 
management system for Dhaka city.
7. Showing energy analysis from the collected solid 

waste of  Dhaka city.

METHODOLOGY
This research paper uses both primary and secondary data 
which was conducted from 2nd January 2023 to 15th June 
2023. This study mainly focused on the present status of  
the solid waste management system in the capital Dhaka 
city of  Bangladesh, and a flow chart of  the work process 
in given below. 

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Primary data collection through questionnaire 
survey
To find out the solid waste management system of  Dhaka 
city, primary data was collected from different categories of  
people and through a questionnaire survey from households 
to assess the actual status of  solid waste management. 
Primary data was also collected by visiting the waste 
collection process and selected dumping areas. To assess 
expert opinion, key informant interviews were conducted 
with various stakeholders who were experts and associated 
with solid waste management practices in Dhaka city. 

Secondary data collection
Secondary data was collected about the volume of  waste 
generation and solid waste management activities in 
Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Data analysis
Although the information was collected from various 
sources it was transcribed and the information was 
categorized according to content. The organized data 
was then overviewed to get a general idea of  emerging 
trends, patterns, and solid waste concepts. The data were 
grouped into broad categories such as waste generation, 
public involvement in the decision-making process of  
waste collection, etc.

LIMITATIONS 
It may be mentioned that this study is completely self-
financed work by the author of  this paper. The author 
faced some limitations while completing the research 
work including collection of  primary and secondary 
data and information about the problem under research 
investigation. There were some budget constraints and a 
lack of  time for this research work. Due to this limitation, 
the sample size for the study was small and it was not 
sufficient and very difficult to generalize the output of  
the study. This limitation of  budget and time was the 
foremost limitation for gathering data and information 
about the problem under research investigation. Despite 

some limitations, the author has been able to collect all 
relevant information about the problem under research 
investigation.

Solid Waste Management in Dhaka City
A well-planned waste management process will not only 
help in ensuring a clean environment but will also be cost-
effective for the citizens and Dhaka City Corporation is 
mainly fulfilling this responsibility.
According to the previous study of  the author of  this 
paper, Dhaka City Corporation has divided its area into 10 
zones to monitor solid waste generation. Total solid waste 
management involves 3 categories: mechanical engineering, 
storage, and transportation. The Conservation Department 
of  Dhaka City Corporation currently operates around 370 
trucks and container carriers, 300 handcarts and 4,920 
bins/containers and is supported by 190 supervisory 
officers and 7,156 cleaners and only 1 officer to supervise 
transport for all activities. (Islam, F. S. 2016) 

Impact of  Inappropriate Solid Waste on Climate 
Change
Bangladesh is a region vulnerable to climate change. (Akter 
H. 2022) When organic waste decomposes, methane and 
carbon dioxide gases are produced. Methane is produced 
in the absence of  air, on the other hand, carbon dioxide 
is a natural product and produces when something 
decomposes in the air. Incineration of  inorganic waste 
uses natural resources such as metals, fuel, and wood in 
their production and thereby releases greenhouse gases, 
especially carbon dioxide. 
Plastic waste emits greenhouse gases at every stage, as the 
extraction and transportation of  plastics are dependent 
on oil, gas, and coal. The production and disposal 
of  plastic also emit tons of  carbon. Extreme climate 
conditions significantly affect agricultural production 
and water insecurity nationally. (Kwame. D. 2022) Solid 
Waste management is a major contributor to greenhouse 
gas emissions and thus contributes to climate change. 
(University of  Colorado. 2020)  Moreover, used plastic 

Figure 1: Flow Chart of  Work Process

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products are ending up in the ocean, thus deteriorating 
the overall marine ecosystem, thereby reducing oxygen 
production in the ocean, which has a direct impact on 
climate change. 

Composition of  Solid Waste

Figure 2: Flow Chart: Composition of  Solid Waste

Solid Waste Management by Dhaka City Corporation
Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City 
Corporation do the following for solid waste management 
in Dhaka city
1. Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City 

Corporation sweeps highways, roads, and drains daily. 
2. They collect waste from houses and roadsides
3, The cleaners of  Dhaka North City Corporation and 

Dhaka South City Corporation collect the waste and 
transfer it to the nearest dustbin or container.
4. Trucks of Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South 

City Corporation dump solid waste at the dumping depot.
5. Finally, solid waste is dressed by bulldozers, tire-

dozers, pay-loaders, and excavators.

Impact of  Solid Waste Disposal on Environment
1. Open-air dumping creates an unsanitary environment 

and poses a great threat to human beings and causes 
environmental problems and nuisance due to the 
nauseating strong smell.
2. The situation is worsened by the indiscriminate 

disposal of  hospital and clinical waste, which encourages 
the spread of  disease.
3. Due to solid waste disposal in the environment, 

there are very high levels of  total and facial coliforms. 
Moreover, it pollutes water bodies.
4. Solid waste produces carbon dioxide and methane gas, 

and these gases are produced in landfills through aerobic 
and anaerobic decomposition of  organic compounds, 
which pose a threat to the environment.

Education Level of  the Solid Waste Workers
By the questionnaire survey of  this work, the education 
level of  solid waste workers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh is 
given in the table below:

Table 1: Education Level of  the Respondent (Found 
from Questionnaire Survey)
Education Level of  the 
Workers

Percentage(%)

Uneducated 15%
Primary School Pass 40%
Under SSC Pass 35%
SSC Pass 06%
HSC Pass 02%
HSC Pass to Under 
Graduate

02%

Total 100%

The table shows that the percentage of  uneducated 
people is about 15%, primary school pass is about 40%, 
under SSC pass is about 35%, SSC pass 06%, HSC pass 
02%, and HSC pass to undergraduate is about 02%.
We can understand the condition from the figure below: 

Figure 3: Education Level of  the Respondent

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Process of  Household Waste Management

Figure 4: Process of  Household Waste Management

Evaluation of  Household Waste Collection System
The household waste collection involves many aspects. 
The perception of  what is important depends on 
stakeholders, such as waste management companies, local 

authorities, national environmental protection agencies, 
waste researchers, environmentalists, and the public; And 
they all have different perspectives. There are several 
reasons for evaluating waste collection systems.

Figure 5: Reasons for evaluating the function of  waste collection systems

Assessment of  collection systems depends on system 
boundaries and will always be site-specific to some 
degree. However, it is possible to significantly improve 
comparability through stratified investigations and the 
use of  simple, consistent indicators.

Solid Waste Generation in Dhaka City of  Bangladesh
2023: 7500 tons/day (Prothomalo.2022)
2032: 8500 tons/day (Prothomalo.2022)
2040: 10000 tons/day (estimated)
2050: 12000 tons/day (estimated) 

Potential Sources of  Waste
There are many possible sources of  waste generation and 
some of  them are explained here-

Commercial Sources
Commercial sources are a huge source of  waste 
generation. Commercial sources refer to various 
industries such as garments, pharmaceutical companies, 
hospitals and other industries. Mainly used by various 
industries as massive chimeric sulfuric acid, chromium, 
ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride and calcium 
oxide. The waste may contain chromium salts and/
or tannic acid. Manufacturers also use pesticides and 
fungicides. Metallurgical and non-metallic industries can 
generate solid waste containing some types of  heavy 
metals. The odors from those factories or dust emitted 
from furnaces can often contain some amount of  heavy 
metals so if  the dust is not disposed of  properly, the dust 
will also be a source of  soil pollution.

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Pharmaceutical industries and hospitals generate three 
types of  waste-
1. Infectious Waste- (Organs, blood and blood products, 

body parts, pathological tissues, human excreta, placenta, 
body fluids, culture materials from laboratories, and other 
infectious materials.)
2. Sharp Waste- (Intravenous set, saw, scalpel, syringes, 

needles, broken glass, blades, nails, and sharps generated 
from support service, etc.)
3. Non-Infectious Waste- (Radioactive waste, waste 

contaminated with Cytotoxic drugs, leftover cytotoxic 
drugs, and expired medicines.)

Domestic Waste
Domestic waste is another major source of  solid waste which 
includes paper, vegetable peels, onion seed casings, broken 
plastics, cobwebs, soil and dust, yarn scraps, animal mouths, 
grass, used shoes, cloth scraps, bottles, glass, used items, fused 
bulbs, blades, razors, tooth paste tubes, car parts, etc.

Hospitals and Clinical Waste
There are probably more than 800 clinics and hospitals in 
Dhaka city and they are generating massive amounts of  
waste every day. Since clinic and hospital wastes contain 
toxic and infectious substances, they are more unsafe 
than other types of  waste. All types of  medical waste are 
dumped in Dhaka city municipal dustbins, resulting in the 
easy spread of  diseases.

Tanning Waste
Tanning waste is another type of  industrial waste, which 
is dangerously polluting the environment of  Dhaka city. 
There are probably more than 200 tanning industries in 
the Hazaribagh area of  Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Tannery 
waste contains chromium, sulfate, ammonium, calcium, 
ammonium chloride, and sulfuric acid which have a 
negative impact on the ecosystem, groundwater, and 
surface water of  Dhaka city.

Environmental Benefits of  Waste Recycling
A healthy environment is an essential condition for all 
living things and waste management is essential for a 
healthy environment. Waste management is a process that 
includes collection, transportation, processing, recycling 
or disposal and monitoring of  waste materials. Waste 
management practices involve the processing of  waste 
materials for the purpose of  producing new products.
Recycling waste reduces air, water, and land pollution, it 
also limits the need for new natural resources such as wood, 
petroleum, fiber, and other materials. Reducing waste is 
one way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are a 
contributing factor to global warming. Recycling waste will 
help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the energy 
required to make products from raw materials. Reducing 
emissions from incinerators and landfills. Recycling solid 
waste can eliminate air, water, and land pollution.

Recycling, Employment, and Finalcial Benefit
Wastes are not only a great source of  investment but they 

can also play a huge role in employment by creating huge 
employment opportunities. Waste recycling will help us 
reach a sustainable solution and develop our entrepreneurial 
activism but we need to start the waste management 
process at the micro level, i.e. at the community level. The 
unemployment problem is a crucial issue for Dhaka city 
and waste recycling is the best solution for it because it 
will provide us with three major details, financial benefits, 
employment, and recycled products.

Elimination of  Environmental Problem
The following measures should be taken to eliminate 
environmental problems:
1. Increasing door-to-door collection facilities in 

all areas and ensuring regularity in the collection and 
transportation of  solid waste from households, bins, and 
primary dumping stations. 
2. Raising awareness to collect waste from households 

and reduce solid waste generation.
3. Apply appropriate environmental laws in Bangladesh.
4. Transport solid waste at night instead of  during the 

day. If  it is transported during the day, use a cover on 
the waste transport vehicle to reduce odor pollution and 
other related problems.
5. Increase wages and safety of  workers working in solid 

waste management systems. 

Collected Solid Waste Items from Dhaka City of  
Bangladesh
It is impossible for the author of  this paper to collect all 
the solid waste items of  Dhaka city, but a total sample of  
25.21 kg of  solid waste items was collected to get an idea 
of  the current situation of  this city.

Table 2: Collected Solid Waste Items
Item Name Weight(kg) Percentage of  

total weight
Coin 0.035 0.14%
Rope 0.045 0.18%
Paper 4.5 17.85%
Cloth 3.7 14.68%
Foam 0.03 0.12%
Food 8.5 33.72%
Plastic 1.2 4.76%
Tissue 0.9 3.57%
Rubber 0.03 0.12%
Cast Iron(Metal) 0.5 1.98%
Polythene 3.5 13.88%
Head Phone 0.015 0.06%
Glass 0.19 0.75%
Packet 0.5 1.98%
Hangers 0.015 0.06%
Plastic Rope 0.8 3.17%
Coffee Cup 0.75 2.98%
Total 25.21 100%

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Table 2 shows that,
The total weight of  the coin is 0.035 kg and its percentage 
of  the total weight is 0.14%. The total weight of  the rope 
is 0.045 kg and its percentage of  the total weight is 0.18%. 
The total weight of  the paper is 4.5 kg and its percentage 
of  the total weight is 17.85%. The total weight of  the 
cloth is 3.7 kg and its percentage of  the total weight is 
14.68%. The total weight of  the foam is 0.03 kg and its 
percentage of  the total weight is 0.12%. The total weight 
of  the food is 8.5 kg and its percentage of  the total 
weight is 33.72%. The total weight of  the plastic is 1.2 
kg and its percentage of  the total weight is 4.76%. The 
total weight of  the tissue is 0.9 kg and its percentage of  
the total weight is 3.57%. The total weight of  the rubber 
is 0.03 kg and its percentage of  the total weight is 0.12%. 

The total weight of  the cast iron(metal) is 0.5 kg and its 
percentage of  the total weight is 1.98%. The total weight 
of  the polythene is 3.5 kg and its percentage of  the total 
weight is 13.88%. The total weight of  the head phone is 
0.015 kg and its percentage of  the total weight is 0.06%. 
The total weight of  the glass is 0.19 kg and its percentage 
of  the total weight is 0.75%. The total weight of  the 
packet is 0.5 kg and its percentage of  the total weight is 
1.98%. The total weight of  the hangers is 0.015 kg and its 
percentage of  the total weight is 0.06%. The total weight 
of  the plastic rope is 0.8 kg and its percentage of  the total 
weight is 3.17%. The total weight of  the coffee cup is 0.75 
kg and its percentage of  the total weight is 2.98%. 
We can understand the status of  Table 2 from the figure 
below: 

Discussion of  Organic, Inorganic and Hazardous 
Items
A discussion of  organic, inorganic, and hazardous items 
is given in the table below.
From the collected solid waste items, Table 3 shows 
the total weight and percentage of  the total weight of  
organic, inorganic, and hazardous items.
Table 3 shows that the total weight of  organic items is 

13.94 kg, the total weight of  inorganic items is 10.75 kg, 
and the total weight of  hazardous items is 0.545 kg.
This table also shows that the total percentage of  the 
weight of  organic items is 55.3%, the total percentage 
of  the weight of  inorganic items is 42.5%, and the total 
percentage of  the weight of  hazardous items is 2.2%.
We can understand the status of  Table 3 from the figure 
below:

Figure 6: Collected Solid Waste Items with Percentages

Table 3: Organic, Inorganic and Hazardous Items
Organic Inorganic Hazardous
Weight(kg) Item Weight(kg) Item Weight(kg)
8.5 Plastic 1.2 Head Phone 0.015
4.5 Rubber 0.03 Cast Iron(Metal) 0.5
0.9 Coin 0.035 Foam 0.03
0.045 Cloth 3.7 - -
- Polythene 3.5 - -
- Glass 0.19 - -
- Packet 0.5 - -
- Hangers 0.015 - -
- Plastic Rope 0.8 - -
- Coffee Cup 0.75 - -
Total Weight 13.94 10.72 0.545
% of  Weight 55.3% 42.5% 2.2%

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Table 4 shows the discussion of  the 3R application. Here 
it shows that the total weight of  Reducible items is 0.08 
kg and its percentage of  weight is 0.31%.
Again it shows that the total weight of  Reusable items is 
8.23 kg and its percentage of  weight is 32.65%. 

Moreover, it also shows that the total weight of  Recyclable 
items is 16.9 kg and its percentage of  weight is 67.04%. 
We can understand the status of  Table 4 of  the 3R 
Application from the figure below: 

Figure 7: Percentage of  Weight of  Organic, Inorganic and Hazardous Items

Table 4: 3R Application
Reducible Reusable Recyclable
Item Weight(kg) Item Weight(kg) Item Weight(kg)
Coin 0.035 Paper 4.5 Food 8.5
Rope 0.045 Cloth 3.7 Plastic 1.2
- - Foam 0.03 Tissue 0.9
- - - - Rubber 0.03
- - - - Cast Iron(Metal) 0.5
- - - - Polythene 3.5
- - - - Head Phone 0.015

DISCUSSION OF 3R APPLICATION
A discussion of  the 3R Application is given in the table below.

Figure 8: Bar Chart of  3R Application.

Discussion of  Energy Analysis 
A discussion of  the Energy Analysis is given in the table 
below
According to energy content, Table 5 shows that food 

energy is 4652 Kj/Kg and energy available from food is 
39542 kilojoules. Plastic energy is 32564 Kj/Kg and energy 
available from plastic is 39077 kilojoules. Paper energy is 
16747.2 Kj/Kg and energy available from paper is 75362 

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kilojoules. Rubber energy is 23260 Kj/Kg and energy 
available from rubber is 698 kilojoules. Cloth energy is 
17445 Kj/Kg and energy available from cloth is 64547 
kilojoules. Cast Iron(Metal) energy is 697.8 Kj/Kg and 
energy available from cast iron(metal) is 349 kilojoules.  
Glass energy is 139.56 Kj/Kg and energy available from 
glass is 27 kilojoules. Dirt’s energy is 6978 Kj/Kg and 

energy available from dirt is 45426.78 kilojoules.
Finally, the total energy obtained from 25.21 kg solid 
waste items of  Dhaka city is 265029 kilojoules.

Discussion of  Energy Content in Percentage
A discussion of  the Energy Content in percentage is 
given in the table below.

Table 6: Percentage of  Energy Content
Percentage of  Energy Content
Material types according to energy content Total Energy (Kilojoules) Percentage of  Energy Content
Energy Content
Food 39542 14.92%
Plastic 39077 14.74%
Paper 75362 28.44%
Rubber 698 0.26%
Cloth 64547 24.36%
Cast Iron(Metal) 349 0.13%
Glass 27 0.01%
Dirt’s 45426.78 17.14%
Total 265029 100%

Table 5: Energy Analysis
Energy Analysis
Material types according to energy content Energy (Kj/Kg) Total Energy (Kilojoules)
Food 4652 39542 [Calculation: 4652×8.5=39542]
Plastic 32564 39077
Paper 16747.2 75362
Rubber 23260 698
Cloth 17445 64547
Cast Iron(Metal) 697.8 349
Glass 139.56 27
Dirt’s (e.g.  Foam, Tissue, Polythene, Head Phone, 
Packet, Hangers, Plastic Rope, Coffee Cup) 

6978 45426.78

Total 265029

In terms of  energy content, Table 6 shows that the 
energy content of  food is 14.92%. The energy content 
of  plastic is 14.74%. The energy content of  the paper 
is 28.44%. The energy content of  rubber is 0.26%. The 
energy content of  cloth is 24.36%. The energy content of  

cast iron(metal) is 0.13%. The energy content of  the glass 
is 0.01%. The energy content of  dirt is 17.14%. 
We can understand the status of  Table 6 of  the Percentage 
of  Energy Content from the figure below:

Figure 9: Bar Chart of  the percentage of  energy content

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Electricity Generation from Solid Waste
By generating electricity from solid waste, we will be able 
to simultaneously meet the demand for electricity, as well 
as accelerate the speed of  proper solid waste management 
in Dhaka city of  Bangladesh. This paper believes that 
it is possible to establish this power plant through the 
combined efforts of  engineers.
This paper proposes below the main methods of  
electricity/Power generation from solid waste.

h) Transmission Line: Finally, this electricity generated 
from solid waste can be delivered directly to consumers 
through transmission lines.

Advantages of  Electricity Generation from Solid 
Waste
There are several advantages of  generating electricity 
from solid waste and some of  them are discussed below.
i. It will reduce the amount of  waste: Incinerators can 
reduce the amount of  waste by up to 95% and can 
reduce the solid content of  the original waste by 80-
85% depending on the composition of  the solid waste. 
(Conserve Energy Future. 2023) In this way, generating 
electricity from solid waste will reduce the amount of  
waste in Dhaka city.
ii. It will create an efficient waste management: Power 
generation from solid waste will create an efficient waste 
management in Dhaka city.
iii. It will reduce groundwater pollution: Usually, solid 
waste from Dhaka city is dumped on land, and the land 
releases toxic chemicals into the water table below, thus 
contaminating the groundwater system. If  this solid waste 
is used for power generation in Dhaka city, land pollution 
and groundwater pollution will definitely be reduced.
iv. The functional material is recyclable after generating 
electricity: Metals will remain intact when incinerators 
burn solid waste to generate electricity because they 
have high melting points. After the waste incineration 
process is completed, power plant workers will remove 
the remaining metal and recycle it. The remaining ash can 
be used for construction or other purposes.
v. It will create a beautiful waste-free city: If  we use solid 
waste for power generation in Dhaka city, most of  the 
solid waste will be used for power generation. This will 
reduce the solid waste of  this city and create a beautiful 
waste-free Dhaka city.
There are many other benefits of  generating electricity 
from solid waste which cannot be summarized.

Disadvantages of  Electricity Generation from Solid 
Waste
There are several disadvantages of  generating electricity 
from solid waste and some of  them are discussed below:
i. It is wasteful to burn waste: Solid waste is made up of  

materials such as glass, paper, and plastic, and burning 
these valuable materials to generate electricity discourages 
resource conservation efforts. After incineration of  solid 
waste, it will generate waste again.
ii. Waste is not a viable fuel: To generate only a small 

amount of  energy to produce electricity would waste 
a large amount of  recyclable materials. So it is more 
profitable to produce recycle product than to produce 
electricity from solid waste.
iii. If  we burn waste to generate electricity, the waste will 

produce toxic emissions: If  waste is burned to generate 
electricity, it will be very dangerous for the environment of  
Dhaka City because even the most advanced technology 
will pollute the environment.

Figure 8: A flow process for electricity generation

All the waste materials that are collected should be 
brought to the waste department. Then there are mainly 
two types of  waste to be classified; Solid Waste (Dry) and 
Solid Waste (Wet).
a) Solid Waste(Dry): The dry solid waste will go directly 

to the blast furnace.
b) Solid Waste(Wet): Wet-type solid waste will pass 

through a pre-heater section and reduce its moisture 
content. Thus most of  the daily dumped waste will be 
used to reduce its moisture content.
c) Pre-Heater: A pre-heater is a device used to heat the 

waste material before entering the blast furnace. It will 
basically dry the wet solid waste.
d) Blast Furnace: The blast furnace will essentially act as 

the heating part of  the process and in this part, the waste 
materials will be burned to produce a temperature that 
will heat the boiler and generate steam.
e) Boiler: Normal-temperature water in the boiler 

section will be heated by the temperature generated by 
the blast furnace and then steam will be produced. This 
steam will be used to rotate the turbine.
f) Turbine: A turbine is a continuous power generation 

machine in which a wheel, usually mounted on a vane, is 
made to rotate by a high-speed flow of  water, steam, gas, 
or air. The turbine must be connected to a generator to 
produce electricity.
g) Generator: Usually, the speed of  the turbine is used in 

a generator to generate electricity. Hence, a generator is 
mainly a machine for converting mechanical energy into 
electricity. Mainly electricity will be generated in this part. 
(Abdur, Jannati, Jannatun. 2019) 

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Am. J. Environ. Clim 2(2) 23-32, 2023

iv. Burning waste will contribute to climate change in 
Dhaka city: Incinerators actually emit more CO2 than 
natural gas-fired, oil-fired, or even coal-fired power 
plants. (Zero Waste Europe. 2018) Excess CO2 gas will 
lead to climate change in Dhaka city.
v. The power plant will generate ash, flue gas and excess 

heat: Converting waste materials to power generation will 
generate ash, flue gas, and excess heat in Dhaka city and 
will worsen the overall environmental condition of  the 
city.
There are many other disadvantages of  generating 
electricity from solid waste and specific new research is 
needed to elaborate the disadvantages.

CONCLUSION
In Dhaka city of  Bangladesh, we dream of  a clean and 
tidy city and the waste recycling process can make these 
dreams come true. But not only in Bangladesh, it is not 
possible for the government of  any country to shoulder all 
the responsibilities alone. We, the people of  this city, must 
work together to share this responsibility. Dhaka North 
City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation have 
started organizing their own waste collection services to 
keep their areas clean. Both City Corporations started 
their work based on their Community Planning System.
Waste is collected from households and taken to municipal 
roadside containers. Community-run door-to-door waste 
collection services are gaining momentum in the capital 
Dhaka City and are gradually expanding into a larger 
environmental movement. We can save our environment 
and ultimately benefit through concerted efforts. 
Recycling waste also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 
Recycled waste helps reduce energy requirements for new 
products and reduces carbon dioxide emissions into the 
atmosphere. That’s why we need to be more proactive in 
recycling waste and help increase environmental benefits 
for future generations. There are both advantages and 
disadvantages of  generating electricity from solid waste. 
So Dhaka city or any other city in the world should do 
proper research before generating electricity from solid 
waste, then proceed to generate electricity. It is true that 
we need electricity, but our environment and our planet 
Earth are the first priority. Waste management is a matter 
of  new attention because this problem is very evident in 
Dhaka city of  our country. Further research is needed in 
the future to find ways to overcome the problems arising 
from improper solid waste management in Dhaka City, 
Bangladesh.

Acknowledgement
I am grateful to my students Aador Muhammad Hossain 
and Mashrur Areeb Risan for helping me in collecting 
data for this research paper. I would like to thank M. A. 
Naimul Islam, who Graduated from the Department 
of  Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of  
Chittagong, (Email: noiem0409@gmail.com), Bangladesh 
for his kind support with the knowledge of  electricity 
generation in this research paper. I would also like to 

thank Md. Masud Alom, Assistant Professor, Department 
of  Civil Engineering of  Daffodil International University, 
Bangladesh for his kind advice to complete this research
paper.

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