Cleaner production as a tool to mitigate pollution in leather processing: Case study

This study investigates waste management practices and cleaner production (CP) opportunities at the case study tannery. Work seeks to achieve sustainable development through the use of best practices. Ways of achieving compliance with environmental regulations through the application of initiatives, such rationalizing uses of chemicals, water and energy consumption were reviewed as means to reduce waste discharge into the environment and water bodies. Chemical and water consumption levels were presented as pointers to areas where by-products could be considered for recycling and re-use in the plant to improve on productivity. This work sought to reduce salts in the effluents by employing a number of CP measures including installation of a chilling unit to the tannery system.