Leather Industry and Environmental Challenges: the Case of Haffede Tannery
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Date
2015-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The leather Industry is one of the industries which have effect on the Environment especially if
it is not managed properly. In Ethiopia the leather industry is one of the main exports earning
and job creation. On the other hand, it has side effects to the environment, as tanneries do not
want to include cost for environmental protection, because it increases their cost of
production. This research paper assessed the leather Industry and Environmental challenges,
the case of HAFPLC which is located in Sebeta municipality administration.
The study uses primary and secondary data sources. Survey questionnaires, Interview with key
respondents were used while field visit also done to ``Roge’’ villagers and FDG was made with
community leaders to have deep understanding of the situation.
This research paper reveals that HAFPLC is not complying adequately with the environmental
standards set by MoEF, though there is some improvement now. There is an environmental
policy, standards and regulation gap according to the findings of this case study. The tannery
chemical usage and safety monetary handling system is not found to be reliable. The tannery
has primary treatment plant but it had not been operated based on the standards of MoEF.
The main challenges for implementation of environmental standards and regulations are ,
HAFPLC is not in a position to run the ETP cost financially , knowledge limitation on ETP
operation and maintenance capacity, weak inspection capacity by environmental authorities,
weak coordination between stakeholders, absence of CETP which minimizes the overall
treatment cost are the main binding challenges.
This research recommends the Establishment of Industrial Parks with CETP for Ethiopian
tanneries including HAFPLC which helps in protecting the “Roge” village environment with
minimizing ETP cost. More ever; ORLEMB, MoI, LIDI should work in coordinated
mechanism, more resource should be allocated to environmental institutions established at
federal, regional, and “woreda” level and capacity building should be done.
Key words: Environmental policy, Environmental regulation and standards, Environmental
sustainability
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Keywords
Environmental policy, Environmental regulation and standards, Environmental sustainability