Pages 226–233
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
Leather industry is one of important by-product industry in developing countries due to it’s employment and export potentials. However, leather processing results in generation of wastewater and solid waste which would affect the environment, if it is not properly collected, treated and disposed. In order to control the pollution, in India during earlier 90’s individual Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) or Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) were installed initially with physico-chemical treatment followed by biological treatment to meet the discharge norms of SS, BOD, COD and Chromium. In addition, chrome liquor generated from tannery is segregated and treated in the chrome recovery plant for reuse. Subsequently, in order to tackle the issue of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and to address the water scarcity in India (Tamil Nadu State), the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) i.e., water recovery from secondary treated effluent through membrane system and evaporation of rejects has been implemented in ETPs/CETPs. However, the implementation of these systems required higher investment and O&M cost. This higher capital costs in ETPs/CETPs by tanneries were subsidized by the Central and or State governments under various schemes at regular intervals, resulted in the ensuring the sustainability of leather sector in operation of CETPs. In addition, various new treatment technologies were implemented or being implemented to recover more water from ZLD system. Successful implementation of upgradation measures in CETPs has resulted in meeting the compliance with local regulatory conditions. However, ZLD resulted in higher specific energy consumption and O&M cost which becomes burden to the tanneries and makes this option unviable and not sustainable. In order to reduce the O&M cost, various energy efficient equipment and use of solar photovoltaic energy system to meet the thermal and electrical energy requirements are implemented in CETPs. These CETP upgradation measures ensured reductions in O&M cost and also reduced the carbon footprint towards sustainability in leather sector.