E-waste management in displacement settings: Lessons from Cox’s Bazar refugee camps

As efforts to scale energy access for displaced populations and host communities expand, the amount of electronic waste (e-waste) generated in these settings is also rising - posing a growing environmental challenge. Worldwide, e-waste production is increasing by 2.6 million tonnes each year and is projected to reach 82 million by 2030. Without proper disposal systems, hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium from discarded electronics can contaminate soil and water, posing serious risks to both human health and the environment.

E-waste remains a significant challenge in displacement settings, with preliminary research indicating that only 1% of e-waste reaches a formal recycler. In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh - home to approximately 960,000 Rohingya refugees - the growing influx of solar-powered appliances and electronic goods has generated a significant amount of e-waste. To address this challenge, UNHCR Bangladesh supported by UNHCR Environment and Climate Action Innovation Fund, in collaboration with partners such as NGO Forum for Public Health, Schneider Electric Foundation, Electrician sans Frontières and UNITAR/GPA, launched an innovative e-waste management programme. This initiative not only addressed the environmental hazards associated with improper e-waste disposal but also created livelihood opportunities for the refugee communities. 

Our recent case study, E-waste management programme in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps explores this policy challenge and more, as a part of the State Fragility initiative’s set of publications investigating key aspects of scaling up energy access in fragile settings.

Local e-waste challenge in Cox’s Bazar

The surge in the use of electronic devices in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar has led to an increase in the generation of e-waste. Before the intervention, improper e-waste disposal practices witnessed in the camp included burning cables to extract valuable copper for resale, discarding battery water into nearby drains or yards, and dumping invaluable waste in the garbage. These practices resulted in the release of toxic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. 

Exposure to such toxins such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and mercury has been linked to severe health issues, including respiratory issues, cancer, kidney damage, and neurological impairments, with women and children being particularly susceptible due to their higher absorption rates and developing systems. Additionally, the release of these toxins has detrimental effects on local ecosystems, degrading the quality of soil and water. As a result, establishing robust e-waste management programmes is essential to safeguarding vulnerable populations from the risks associated with improper disposal and promoting environmental sustainability. 

Building awareness, engaging volunteers, and involving community leaders to encourage e-waste collection

The e-waste management programme was piloted in the Kutupalong Refugee Camp (KRC) and Nayapara Refugee Camp (NRC). Before launching the project, a series of assessments were conducted to understand the types of e-waste generated in the camps and repair needs. Findings from these assessments revealed that fans, solar panels, and various types of batteries (for example, dry cell, lead-acid, lithium-ion) accounted for more than 70% of the total e-waste in the KRC. Additionally, a 2022 repair shop assessment identified four informal repair shops that dealt primarily with mobile phones and interruptible power supply (IPS) systems, with shop owners expressing a need for further training to repair more complex items such as fridges, TVs, and batteries. 

The implementation of the project involved recruiting and training 20 volunteers to engage in door-to-door collection of 1-2 e-waste items per household. To encourage participation, a cash-for-work model was introduced, compensating community members for e-waste contributions based on market rates, such as BDT 200 for a smartphone and BDT 40 per kg of iron-based waste. The project commenced with public awareness efforts, including door-to-door campaigns, leaflet distributions, and community sessions to educate individuals on the environment and health risks associated with improper e-waste disposal, reinforcing responsible management practices. The involvement of community leaders from the camps played a key role in gaining trust and securing community engagement.

Following awareness raising, e-waste was collected through daily temporary collection points and door-to-door pickup, ensuring maximum coverage and convenience for community members. Once collected, e-waste was sorted, logged, and stored in designated facilities meeting international safety standards. The collected items were then assessed to determine if they were repairable or needed to be sent for recycling. Repairable devices were stored for future repair activities at the Green Innovation Hub (GIH) - a facility to provide technical knowledge and hands-on-training related to electrical items and e-waste repair - while non-repairable items were sent to Azizu, an authorised e-waste recycling company in Dhaka. 

Key achievements and challenges 

The e-waste management programme successfully collected over 9.4 tons of e-waste and secured the participation of 4,253 or 49.4% of Rohingya refugee households. It also resulted in a positive shift in community behaviour, with more than 80% of people in targeted camps familiar with the concept of e-waste and adopting safer disposal practices, significantly reducing visible e-waste within the camps. Moreover, a significant highlight of the programme was the development of the GIH, which provided training and helped upskill the refugee community, promoting livelihood and income-generating opportunities. 

Despite its successes, the programme faced several challenges, including competition from informal collectors offering higher prices, making it harder to incentivise community participation. Financial constraints also affected sustainability, as delays in payments - due to rigorous paperwork and adherence to cash-for-work modalities - made it hard to compete with local scrap dealers who were willing to provide instant cash. Safely storing collected e-waste (for example, fire prevention measures) required significant resources, while inter-agency coordination posed logistical challenges. Additionally, government restrictions on formal employment for Rohingya refugees generated some resistance to establishing the training and repair centre inside the camp. Restrictions on refugees’ rights to work and bank access further delayed payments and hindered the establishment of a sustainable revenue stream for the GIH. However, despite initial delays, the project ultimately gained government support due to the innovation and potential opportunities it generated for the community.

Lessons learned

The e-waste management programme generated key insights for replicating the programme in similar settings: 

1. Leverage existing informal systems: Many communities already have informal e-waste collection and repair networks. Integrating them into formal collection and recycling processes minimises disruption and enhances community acceptance.

2. Secure flexible, long-term funding: E-waste management is costly, requiring multi-year, adaptable funding to support collection, storage, and transportation.

3. Develop practical incentives for e-waste return: Government restrictions on cash payments can hinder participation. Alternative models, such as in-kind incentives or structure work schemes may be effective.

4. Partner with local recycling facilities: In-country recycling capacity significantly reduces costs. Where feasible, projects could collaborate with certified recyclers to ensure sustainable end-of-life disposal.

5. Streamline government approvals and policies: Bureaucratic delays, legal restrictions on refugee employment, and frequent shifts in authorities slowed project approvals, highlighting the need for clear policies.

6. Prioritise community engagement: Awareness campaigns and trusted leaders are key to participation and long-term behaviour change.

7. Address knowledge gaps: Research, data collection, and partnerships are crucial for improving recycling practices.

 To learn more, read our case study E-waste management programme in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps as well as other related publications on energy access in fragile settings.