Abstract:

The article presents the specifics of the leather industry, the current situation regarding the level of solid waste generation, and already developed methods for its management, aimed at reducing the negative impact of production on the environment. The literature on the subject lacks data regarding the extent of solid waste reuse in tanneries worldwide. That results in the inability to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing a closed-loop resource utilization model in the leather sector. The analysis of the problem led to the conclusion that despite ongoing initiatives, research, and projects, the level of management of solid leather waste in most countries of the world remains low. Therefore, there is a necessity to undertake research and implement methods that ensure, to the greatest extent possible, the utilization of the potential of leather waste.