Abstract

Ethiopia is a country located in eastern Africa with huge livestock resource that could be a base for the tanning sector as it supplies ample raw material (hide and skin). The existence of raw material on the other hand implies good opportunity for the existence of tanning industry, foot wear and garment and goods manufacturing. As far as there are leather processing industries, waste generation also inevitably exists. The purpose of this study therefore is intended to quantify/estimate the solid leather waste generated from the industry and indicate the way forward of its disposal. Secondary data from Sheba Leather Industry, four year performance data from all tanneries, observational survey in three potential shoe factories and a two year data from pitards garment and goods manufacturing company was taken and analyzed to estimate the solid waste generation rate. Qualitative data collected from each company using questionnaire survey was also incorporated. The study results indicated that significant amounts of solid waste are generated from hides and skins during the tanning operation process. i.e. 1,918.228 tones from Sheba tannery if working at its full capacity, 86,567.22 tones from all tanning industries, 705.71 tones from the sampled shoe factories and 86.68 tons from the sampled garment and leather goods manufacturing industries. However, the means of solid waste leather disposal/utilization is almost negligently handled in Ethiopia without giving due attention to the health of the society as well as to the environment. Therefore it is vital issue to advise to properly dispose it in safe way/reutilize it as raw material to prepare for value added consumer products.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Hide; Skin; Leather; Solid waste; Pollution