Leather

leather productThis environmental guidance applies to you if you are in the leather processing industry or the tanning industry in the UK.

Find out about the environmental impacts of:

  • preserving skins and hides in a tannery
  • producing leather goods, eg leather shoes, boots,  wallets, clothes and upholstery
  • producing sheepskin products, eg sheepskin rugs, boots, slippers or jackets
  • producing suede products, eg suede shoes, clothing and bags.

Environmental impacts of leather processing businesses

Leather businesses can have a number of impacts on the environment, for example:

  • air emissions from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesives and finishing processes, and sulphides from beamhouse or limeyard operations
  • land contamination from accidental spills or leaking drainage systems
  • noise pollution from vehicle movements and mechanical operations such as milling and buffing
  • waste disposal, such as trimmings, fleshings and effluent treatment plant sludge water discharges, for example run-off water from salting areas and liquid effluents.

How can NetRegs help you?

Our guidance could help you to:

  • avoid prosecution and receive fewer visits from environmental regulators
  • increase efficiency and productivity
  • reduce your operating costs
  • be more likely to obtain business from government bodies and large businesses that require their business partners to manage their environmental impacts effectively
  • improve your reputation amongst staff, customers and the public
  • increase the chance of securing funding to expand your business by demonstrating that your environmental impacts are well managed.