Trading, salvaging and valuing of grey electronics and e-scrap in Bangladesh

Billah, Mostaem (2012) Trading, salvaging and valuing of grey electronics and e-scrap in Bangladesh. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The rapid advancement of product development and the continuous decrease in the useful lifespan of electronic goods have accelerated the amount of obsolete electronic equipment which is known as electronic waste (e-waste) around the world. Yet, the status of these electronics as waste is found to be non-essential. The present study examines ongoing transformations of e-waste into commodities in Bangladesh and reconceptualizes e-waste as ‘grey electronics and e-scrap.’ An intra-regional trade of grey electronics and e-scrap occurs in Asia where Bangladesh is an indispensable receiver mainly from China, Singapore and South Korea. The thesis identifies the main conduits through which grey electronics and e-scrap move in and out of Bangladesh. These conduits include reselling, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, dismantling and smelting, all of which play a key role in capturing and creating value of grey electronics and e-scrap. As grey electronics and e-scrap undergo more processing through these conduits they become more profitable. Thus, a substantial economic activity is found to revolve around the geographies of trading, salvaging and material recovery of grey electronics and e-scrap in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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