A Survey of leather waste generation and disposal mode in selected counties in Kenya
Abstract
Disposal of leather waste from urban tanneries is a major challenge. Sustainable and environmentally friendly methods are required in urban settings. This paper therefore, deals with the identification and quantification of all types of tanned solid wastes generated by 6 pre-selected urban tanneries in Kenya vis a vis corresponding quantity of hides and skins processed. Questionnaire survey and key informant interviews were conducted. The data collected in this study was analysed using descriptive statistics, and the analysis showed that 1,443,000kg of chromium contaminated leather waste was generated by the 6 pre-selected tanneries in the month of study. The generated wastes constituted chrome shavings (32.1%), chrome splits and trimmings (36.2%), vegetable shavings (9.1%), vegetable splits and trimmings (14.9%), crust trimmings (3.5%), buffing dust (2.4%) and finished trimmings (1.8%), all of which amounted to 2,112,560kg for one month in the 6 pre-selected tanneries that were investigated. The current modes of disposal of the waste include landfilling, dumping in open grounds, and or incineration. Out of the total amount of hides processed in the 6 pre-selected tanneries during the month of study (6,642,525kg), 31.8% of this amount (i.e. 2,112,560kg) was actually converted into leather solid wastes. The proportion of leather solid wastes generated vis a vis the corresponding amount of hides processed was found to match closely with what is reported in literature (standard practice). It was also established in this study that chromium-containing leather waste formed the highest percentage (68.3%) of the various types of leather solid wastes generated in the 6 tanneries that were investigated.
References
Abebaw, H. (2015). Leather industry and environmental challenges: The case of Haffede Tannery, Addis Ababa.
Ahmed, M.I.N., and Kashif, P.M. (2014). Safety disposal of tannery effluent sludge: Challenges to researchers: a review. International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR) 5: (10), 733-736.
Annadurai, B.A. (2007). Text book of statistics. 51-91, New Age International Publishers, 7/30 A. Daryaganj, New Delhi – 110002, ISBN: 978-81-224-2051-7.
Cabeza, L.F., Taylor, M.M., Brown, E.M., and Marmer, W.N. (1998). Chemical and physical properties of protein products isolated from chromium-containing leather waste using two consecutive enzymes. Journal of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists 82: (5), 173-179.
DEFRA. (2011). Guidance on applying the Waste Hierarchy. Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs, London.
Fela, K., Wieczorek-Ciurowa, K., Konopka, M. Wozny, Z. (2011). Present and prospective leather industry waste disposal. Polish Journal of Chemical Technology 13: (3), 53-55.
Gakungu, N. K., (2011). Solid waste management: A case of technical Institutions in Kenya; Unpublished MSc. Thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Jiang, H., Liu J., and Han, W. (2016). The status and developments of leather solid waste management: A mini-review. Waste Management & Research 34 (5): 399-408.
Kanagaraj, J., Velappan, K.C., Chandra Babu, N.K., and Sadulla, S. (2006). Solid wastes generation in the leather industry and its utilization for cleaner environment – A review. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research 65: 541-548.
Kirk, D.W.C., Chan, C.Y., and Marsh, H. (2002). Chromium behaviour during thermal treatment of msw fly ash. Journal of Hazardous Materials. B 90: 39-49.
Kombo, D.K., and Tromp, D.L. (2006). Proposal and thesis writing: An Introduction. 82-87. Paulines Publications Africa, Daughters of St. Paul, P.O. Box 49026-00100, Nairobi GPO (Kenya), ISBN: 9966-08-133-x.
Langmaier, F., Kolozmik, K., Sukop, S., and Mladek, M. (1999). Products of enzymatic decomposition of chrome-tanned leather waste. Journal of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists 83: (4), 187.
Li, Y., Guo, R., Lu., and Zhu, D. (2019). Research progress on resource utilization of leather solid waste. Journal of Leather Science and Engineering 1 (6): 1-17.
Mwanzia, P., Kimani, S., and Stevens, L. (2013). Integrated waste management: Decentralized service delivery; Case study of Nakuru Municipality, Kenya, a paper presented at the 36th WEDC International Conference, Nakuru, Kenya.
NEMA. (2014). The National Solid Waste Management Strategy, National Environment Management Authority, Nairobi.
Okalebo, S., Opata, G., and Mwasi, B. (2014). An analysis of the household solid waste generation patterns and prevailing management practices in Eldoret town, Kenya. International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research 2 (2): 076-089.
Onyuka, A. (2010). Sustainable management of tannery hair waste through composting. Doctoral thesis, The University of Northampton.
Oruko, R.O., Moturi, W.N., and Mironga, J.M. (2014). Assessment of tannery based solid wastes management in Asili, Nairobi, Kenya. International Journal of Quality Research 8: (2), 227-238.
Padilla-Rizo, B., Maldonado-Santoyo, M., Bautisha-Radriguez, C.M., Mora-maldonado, L.E., Soto-maldonado, J.E., Zitzumbo-Guzman, R., and Arias-Hernadez, L.A. (2018). Studying type wet blue tannery process for estimating environmental performance using the life cycle analysis methodology: A case study in Mexico. International Journal of Scientific Research Publications: 8 (6).
Parvin, S., Mazumder, L.T., Hasan, S., Rabbani, K.A., and Rahman, M.L. (2017). What should we do with our solid tannery waste? IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology 2: 82-89, www.iosrjournals.org
Ramasami, T. (2001). Approach towards a unified theory for tanning: Wilson’s dream. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association 96: 290-304.
Ramasami, T. (1999). From ore to brick: Travel of chromium through the cross roads of Indian Leather sector. Workshop on building ceramic from industrial waste (International Centre for Science and Technology & UNIDO, Trivandum). 132-149.
Randall, J.A., and Gibson, R.S. (1987). Serum and urine chromium as indices of chromium status in tannery workers. Experimental Biology and Medicine 185: 16-23, doi: 10. 3181/00379727-185-42510.
Rao Sundar, S.S., and Richard, J. (2016). Introduction to Biostatistics and Research Methods. 220-221. Published by Asoke K. Ghoshi, PHI Learning Private Limited, Rimjhim House, 111, Paipargaji Industrial Estate, Delhi-110092, ISBN – 978-81-203-45-20-1, Fifth Edition.
Sekaran, G., Swarnalatha, S., and Srinivasulu, T. (2007). Solid waste management in leather sector. Journal on Design and Manufacturing Technologies. 1: 47.
Simeonova, L.S., and Dalev, P.G. (1996). Utilization of a leather industry waste. Waste Management 16: (8), 765-769.
Sundar, V. J., Raghavarao, J. Muralidharan C., and Mandal, A. B. (2011). Recovery and utilization of chromium-tanned proteinous wastes of leather making: A review. Critical Review Environmental Science and Technology 41 (22): 2048-2075.
Taylor, M.M., Cabeza, F., Dimaio, G.L., Brown, E.M., Marmer, W.N., Carrio, R., Celma, P., and Cot, J.J. (1998). Processing of leather waste: Pilot scale studies on chrome shavings, Part 1. Isolation and characterization of protein products and separation of chrome cake. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association 93: (3), 61.
Veeger, L. (1993). Ecological procedure to solve the tannery waste problems. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association 88: (9), 326.
This journal is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 license (Attribution). Readers can use, re-use, distribute or copy material published in this journal as long as they give appropriate credit. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of articles published by this journal.
