October 01, 2015 – A representative from Japan Environment PLANing. Company Ltd. (JEPLAN), Mr. Takahiro Chiba has visited Bangladesh to investigate opportunities to work together with Global Communication Center (GCC) of Grameen Communications on eWaste Management in Bangladesh. During his five days stay through September 27 – October 01, Mr. Chiba carried out some important primary activities towards his research about the prospects and business opportunities for electronic wastes recycling in the country.

His activities this time commenced with a meeting with GC and GCC officials. Ms. Nazneen Sultana (Managing Director, GC) welcomed him to GC office and learnt about the updates of his initiative about making collaboration on the eWaste recycling project here. After that, he was informed about the recent activities and developments in the GramClean project of GCC over a short presentation. Mr. Chiba then explained the tentative project execution plan to Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam Maruf (Consultant, GCC). Dr. Maruf shared his valuable comments on the improvement of the operational plan. Mr. Chiba also collected some samples of electronic wastes from disposed PCs, mobile phones and printers for further research in Japan.

On the next day, he moved to the village Ekhlaspur in Chandpur to observe the waste situation in villages of Bangladesh. One representative from GCC accompanied him throughout the trip. There he had discussion with the Union Parishad Chairman, the Headmaster and teachers of the local high school, members of the local market committee and few household members. He explained about their initiatives to villagers.

On the final day, he had a meeting with Grameen Distribution Limited, another organization of the Grameen family, to discuss about utilizing the Grameen Marketing Network (GMN) to collect eWaste from villages.

GCC looks forward to work with JEPLAN on joint collaboration to improve the waste situation in the communities.