Zero Waste Systems could create 6,000 jobs in Dhaka: study

If Dhaka were to recover 80 percent of recyclable and organic material in its waste stream, the city could create over 6,000 new jobs, found a study of Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA).

The study from GAIA finds that cities that invest in zero waste programmes and policies create numerous, good, green jobs, in addition to known benefits of reducing pollution and improving community health. This report comes as municipal governments across the world are making critical investment decisions to increase climate resilience and rebuild local economies damaged by the Covid-19 crisis.

GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 800 grassroots groups, non-governmental organisations, and individuals in over 90 countries, aiming to catalyse a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution, explained Claire Arkin, communications coordinator at GAIA.

The new paper is a meta-analysis of 36 studies spanning 16 countries that examined the job creation potential of various waste management strategies such as repair and reuse, recycling, composting, incineration and landfill.

It finds that reusing creates over 200 times as many jobs as landfills and incinerators; recycling creates around 70 times the number of jobs, and re-manufacturing creates almost 30 times as many jobs as landfills and incinerators, said a joint press release of GAIA and ESDO (Environment and Social Development Organisations).

The research makes clear that what's good for the environment is also good for the economy, Claire said.

Zero waste is a comprehensive waste management approach that prioritises waste reduction and material recovery, with the ultimate aim of creating a circular economy, shrinking waste disposal to zero. In contrast, disposal-based systems rely on incineration (waste to energy) and landfills to handle the majority of the waste stream, resulting in higher economic costs and environmental consequences.

ESDO, a leading organisation for environmental sustainability in the country, has an initiative to build a "zero waste community" in Dhaka.

At least 150 households have already started zero waste community-building practice in Lalmatia, leading to a 40-60 percent reduction of kitchen waste, which has been turned into organic compost, said Dr Shahriar Hossain, secretary general at ESDO.

"Zero waste systems not only create more jobs, they create better jobs. Studies show that jobs in zero waste go beyond basic manual labour, provide higher wages, offer more permanent positions and improve quality of life. This trend will only increase in the region as zero waste systems become stronger," he said.

ESDO is working in a participatory approach with the waste collectors of city corporation. Already, ESDO's initiative has created job opportunities for 60 waste collectors, and the organisation plans to train them on how to collect waste safely in the proper way, he added.

In a press release, report co-author Dr. Neil Tangri, science and policy director at GAIA, states, "With the world still reeling from the pandemic, job creation is a top priority. Zero waste offers a strategy to create good jobs and reduce pollution, without breaking the bank. It's a triple win for the economy, the environment, and the city."

Atiqul Islam, mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation said, "About 2500-3000 tons of waste is generated every day in the DNCC area. This waste can be used to produce electricity, bio-gas, and other valuable resources. DNCC will always stand beside those who are working to turn waste into an asset."

"The landfills of Dhaka city have already reached its saturation point. This project will benefit Dhaka city as waste will not reach landfills anymore," he said.