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Clothing is an important part of human life, especially with the development of The Times, human demand for clothing is increasing, leather clothing is one of the popular styles of fashion evolution. Leather production is a labor-intensive process that requires a lot of water and energy. It is well known that the industry has a significant impact on the environment, especially water resources.
Water pollution of leather conduction
The leather production is a water-intensive process that can have a significant impact on the quality of water resources in the surrounding area. During leather production, large amounts of water are used to wash, soak, and rinse the hides. This water becomes contaminated with chemicals, such as chromium, sulfides, and organic matter, which can be harmful to aquatic life and humans if not treated properly.
One example of the impact of leather production on water pollution is the case of the Wissahickon Creek in Pennsylvania. In 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection fined a leather tannery $300,000 for discharging pollutants into the creek. The tannery was found to have violated its discharge permit by releasing excessive amounts of pollutants, including ammonia, nitrogen, and sulfide, which caused fish kills and other environmental damage.
Some research have already showed that, waste management in the industry involves the proper handling and disposal of various materials, such as leather, rubber, textiles, and synthetic components. Improper waste management can lead to environmental pollution, including soil and water contamination.(De Biase, 2016)
According to a study conducted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the leather industry is among the top industrial polluters of freshwater resources worldwide. The study found that the production of one metric ton of leather can generate as much as 150 cubic meters of wastewater, which contains pollutants such as chromium, sulfides, and ammonia.
Environmental water Regulations and Enforcement
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established several regulations and guidelines related to the environmental impact of leather production. One of the most famous is Clean Water Act, which sets clearly standards for wastewater discharges from industrial facilities, including tanneries. The EPA issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits that limit the amount of pollutants that tanneries can release into bodies of water.
In addition, many argue that enforcement mechanisms are weak and often ineffective despite the existence of the environmental regulations, and penalties for non-compliance may not be severe enough to deter companies from violating regulations. It is also needed to emphasize the role of consumer awareness and demand for sustainable leather products, and informed consumer choices and preferences for environmentally friendly products can drive industry transformation and encourage the adoption of more sustainable production processes.(Babatunde, 2019)
References
U.S. Department of State. (2014). Leather and the Environment. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/leather-and-the-environment/
De Biase, L., Petti, L., & Sala, S. (2016). The environmental impact of footwear: Product carbon footprint and waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 2378-2388.
Babatunde, R. O., Zhang, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2019). Environmental impact of leather production processes and mitigation strategies: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 237, 117810.