Bangladesh Develops Sustainable Solutions to Tackle Brick Kiln Pollution
Bangladesh has created an innovative solution to reduce air pollution from brick kilns, which are a major source of pollution in the country. A recent study shows that the intervention could cut carbon emissions by 20% and reduce fuel consumption by 23%, while providing socio-environmental benefits that far exceed its costs by 65 times. The findings were published in the scientific journal Science in May 2025.
Technology Overview and Implementation Process
The study, conducted by icddr,b with Stanford Univer Stamford University Bangladesh , Greentech Knowledge Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), and Boston University School of Public Health, involved 276 brick kiln owners in the Khulna Division during the 2022-23 production season. The technology-focused interventions include:
Optimized Stacking Patterns: Adjusting brick stacking methods to enhance airflow and reduce fuel consumption.
- Biomass Integration: Adding biofuels like sawdust and rice husk with coal to ensure complete combustion and reduce heat loss.
- Heat Retention Modifications: Sealing kiln chambers to prevent heat escape, maintaining steady temperatures and reducing coal usage.
- Continuous Coal Feeding: Implementing continuous coal feeding to maintain consistent heat levels, enhancing fuel efficiency.
Mahbubur Rahman, Head of Environmental Health and WASH at icddr,b, stated, “We focus on affordable, easy-to-implement methods that don’t require advanced machinery.” “Small adjustments in fuel feeding and airflow management can significantly cut emissions and costs.”
Environmental and Economic Impacts
Bangladesh’s 7,000 brick kilns, half of which operate without permits, remain major polluters. Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumdar, Chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Stud Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies – CAPS , stated that these kilns are major contributors to air pollution in cities like Dhaka.
The study found that 65% of kiln owners adopted new practices, leading to a 23% reduction in fuel use and a 20% decrease in CO₂ and PM2.5 emissions. The cost of mitigating one ton of CO₂ was estimated at $2.85, while the socio-environmental cost of inaction stands at $185 per ton. The $185 valuation needs more context regarding the health and environmental damage factors included in the calculation.
Policy Alignment and Regulatory Implications
Although technological interventions yield encouraging outcomes, the necessity of regulatory support cannot be overstated. The government’s brick kiln regulations seek to eliminate wood fuel and move kilns away from schools and healthcare facilities. Nonetheless, the enforcement remains irregular. Environmentalist Syeda Rizwana Hasan warns that excessive topsoil use for brickmaking endangers agricultural productivity and advocates for stricter regulations and sustainable alternatives.
Challenges and Recommendations
Kiln owners are hesitant to adopt new methods despite their promising results, mainly due to worries about costs and operational disruptions. Additionally, the extensive use of topsoil continues to undermine agricultural capacity.
Debashish Biswas from icddr,b stated, “Small changes can have a big impact, but wider adoption needs regulatory support and more training.” He emphasized that future efforts should focus on identifying soil alternatives and promoting sustainable brick-making practices.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The study highlights the urgent need for policies that enforce environmental regulations, promote cleaner production methods, and offer financial support for adopting new technologies. Implementing these methods more broadly could potentially reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 2.4 million tons, accounting for a 2% reduction in the national carbon footprint. To meet its carbon reduction targets, Bangladesh needs to enforce regulations, upgrade technology, and manage resources sustainably.
