In the glittering high-rises of Dhaka, a blender for morning smoothies, a toaster for a quick breakfast, or a hair dryer for speed are common utilities—tools of convenience that ease the daily grind.
But for the city’s vast lower-income population, these appliances remain symbols of luxury, forever out of reach. The price of a brand-new water heater or hair iron can consume a week’s income, an impossible amount for a rickshaw puller or a garment worker.
Yet, a quiet, resourceful economy is bridging this gap, transforming discarded electronics into instruments of domestic ease.
This thriving ecosystem operates out of humble, makeshift stalls scattered across the capital’s busy public places and bustling bazaars. They are the lifeline for families who dream of simple, modern comforts.
Doctor of discarded goods
One such hub of resourcefulness is near Bhanga Bridge area on the 60 Feet Road, where Abul Fazal runs his small operation. His stall, a vibrant, haphazard display of reclaimed technology, looks less like a shop and more like an open-air appliance hospital.
“Our customers are the lower-income people, the working class as they also deserve some comfort,” Fazal explained to The Bangladesh Mail, wiping dust off a slightly dented electric kettle.
Fazal’s business begins where the rich world’s consumption ends. He buys “out-of-whack” household machines from scrap shops or the vagabonds who scour dustbins and garbage piles.
“I buy those machines for a very low price because in that state, they are completely unusable,” said Fazal.
Fazal is not just a seller, he is a technician, a mechanic, and a salvager all rolled into one. His process is a testament to sustainable living driven by necessity.
“I repair the machine myself,” he explained. “Sometimes it just needs a little jolt to become active, sometimes it needs an additional part. Once I make them work, I clean the machines and display them for sale.”
Price of accessibility
The affordability of these products is the cornerstone of Fazal’s market. His inventory brings the cost of comfort crashing down.
“Our product prices mostly range from Tk600 to Tk1,000,” he stated. “The price depends on the quality, the condition, and what the original new price was. Some high-end products that cost multiple thousands when new, we might sell for Tk1,000 or a little more if they are in excellent condition.”
This low-cost access means a family can now afford a blender for making baby food or lassi, or a toaster to free up precious stove space and time in the morning rush. For families who once boiled water on stoves, a repaired water heater is a true blessing in winter.
Beyond household, there is archival treasure
The second-hand appliance market serves another, less-expected clientele. While most sellers focus on everyday convenience, some stalls occasionally unearth true relics.
Abdus Salam, another seller who has run his operation for years in the bustling Kawranbazar, confirmed that the trade sometimes yields historical treasures.
“We sometimes get some rare things, such as very old cameras, camera lenses, or radios,” Salam told The Bangladesh Mail. “These are occasionally bought by customers who want to keep them as rare things for an archive. We are well-paid if we get such a rare find.”
Salam notes that his customers sometimes even preorder specific, needed items, highlighting the deep, personal demand that drives this unique economy.
In a city where affordability shapes every choice, these second-hand stalls play an essential role. They extend the life cycle of electronic goods, reduce waste, promote recycling, and—most importantly—open a door for the poor to access small comforts of modern living.