Concrete blocks offer hope amid Bangladesh’s Brick kilns pollution

Narayanganj – a district spanning 683 square kilometers with a population density of 2,863 people per square kilometer – is grappling with severe environmental challenges.

With 68,839 hectares of agricultural land and six rivers, including the Shitalakshya, the district’s natural resources are under significant threat due to unchecked pollution from brick kilns.

Currently, forty-seven brick kilns line the banks of Shitalakshya River, and the district hosts a total of 244 kilns.

These facilities are major contributors to air pollution, emitting thick clouds of smoke that degrade air quality. Moreover, fertile agricultural land has suffered extensive damage as soil is stripped to fuel the burgeoning brick production industry.

The crisis is not limited to Narayanganj. Nationwide, there are approximately 8,000 brick kilns producing six billion bricks annually, according to the Bangladesh Brick Manufacturing Owners Association (BBMOA).

Data from the Department of Environment show this immense output consumes an estimated 12.25 million metric tons of fertile agricultural soil annually, posing a serious threat to the country’s farming economy.

In response to these environmental concerns, local businessman Abdur Omar Siddique has taken a stance by adopting sustainable construction practices. He used concrete blocks to build his home and agricultural farm.

“Concrete blocks are a game-changer. They are affordable, durable, and thermally efficient, keeping buildings cooler in summer and warmer in winter. They also eliminate the need for plastering and are easier for masons to handle,” Siddique explained.

He also noted the specific advantages of concrete blocks for agro-farms, highlighting their ability to maintain optimal temperatures for livestock and crops throughout the year.

As Narayanganj continues to withstand the worst of environmental degradation, Siddique’s initiative serves as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future.

The construction market in Bangladesh is witnessing a growing demand for concrete blocks, which are now available in a variety of sizes and colors. Despite widespread misconceptions, concrete blocks can often be more cost-effective than traditional bricks.

For instance, a solid concrete block is frequently cheaper than a fired clay brick, and a single hollow block can replace up to five bricks, reducing material costs and construction time.

This shift towards concrete blocks has been gaining momentum for decades. Recognizing their environmental and economic advantages, the government had issued a directive in 2019 mandating the use of concrete blocks in all government construction projects by 2025.

However, industry insiders highlight significant barriers to the widespread adoption of concrete blocks. According to the Bangladesh Concrete Block Prostutkarok Malik Somite President Md Shakhawat Hossain, misinformation and excessive taxation are the primary challenges.

“There is a persistent belief that buildings constructed with concrete blocks are less strong. This is simply untrue. Unfortunately, there have been no government campaigns to counter these misconceptions, or incentives to promote environmentally friendly blocks,” he said.

It should be noted that brick kilns pay a flat annual VAT of Tk 5 lakh regardless of production scale, concrete block manufacturers face a VAT calculated based on the selling price.

Shakhawat elaborated on this disparity, “Brick kilns, even those producing up to one crore bricks annually, enjoy a VAT of just Tk 0.08 per brick. Meanwhile, environmentally friendly block manufacturers struggle under a VAT of Tk 1.65 per block.

“This excessive tax burden makes it incredibly difficult to compete or scale up production.”

In a bid to promote sustainable construction practices, the Bangladesh government is stepping up efforts to increase the production and demand for concrete blocks.

Department of Environment Director Ziaul Haque says several steps have been taken to encourage the production and use of blocks.

Key Government Initiatives, including financial plans, are underway to expand existing facilities and provide financial support to block manufacturers. Import duties on PVC pallets, a critical material used in block production, will soon be reduced to lower production costs.

Discussions are ongoing to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on concrete blocks to make them more competitive with traditional bricks. Authorities have intensified efforts to permanently shut down illegal brick kilns and impose high fines to deter soil-burning practices.

To discourage the production of traditional bricks, the government is also considering raising the VAT levied on bricks.