Diploma project on Upcycling the leather waste

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Bibliography and references

References

http://www.wikipedia.org/

http://www.leatherindia.org/

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-05/style-guide/28370643_1_leather-bags-colour

http://www.suite101.com/content/history-of-leather-making-a123901

http://www.managementparadise.com/forums/articles/20769-overview-leather-industries-india.html

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynda_Lacroix

www.barefootleather.co.uk

http://www.indianmirror.com/indian-industries/leather.html

http://www.leatherresource.com/history.html

http://www.leathercraftsecrets.com/leatherwork/tooling.htm

http://whttp://www.hayden-fan.net/category/leather/ww.ecodomo.com/faq.html#1

http://compositionleather.com/glossary#aniline%20leather

http://www.all-about-leather.co.uk/what-is-leather/where-does-leather-come-from.htm

http://www.eleathergroup.com/

http://www.hayden-fan.net/category/leather/

http://wiki.answers.com

http://www.lycos.com/info/leather--people.html

http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/Articles/recycling-and-upcycling

http://progressivetimes.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/recycling-vs-upcycling-what-is-the-difference/

http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/Articles/recycling-and-upcycling

http://progressivetimes.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufZix3J3S1g&feature=related

http://www.amazon.com/Cradle-Remaking-Way-Make-Things/dp/0865475873

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

Special References,

Mohammad Javed (leather scrap collector), Vaniyambadi

Sridhar Shenoy (Quality control Dept.), Vaniyambadi

Srikant Kumar (Managing Director), Broadway fashions Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore

Roopa M Patil (Merchandiser), Namaste garments, Bangalore

Rakesh K R ,Sales manager, TVS motors

Some facts

Some facts about leather

•10% of the animal’s total value comes from the hide (Source: BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd).

•The weight of leather is determined by the number of ounces that one square foot of material weighs, Higher weights meaning thicker leather.

•Natural, top grain leather will be the hardest wearing and most cost effective in the long run, and thus it is also probably the most high priced.

•The leather from young calves is much more expensive than from an older animal, especially mature male skin is harder and less stretchy.

•Archeologists in Northern Germany have found 12,000 old leather artifacts. the decomposing rate of tanned leather is much lesser than the untreated hide which takes 25-30 years.

•Most of the illegal trading of exotic hides to Developed countries are from third world countries. Thousands of endangered olive Ridley sea turtles are captured and killed illegally in Mexico, solely for their skins. It is estimated that 25-30% of US imported crocodile shoe leather and other wildlife items are made from endangered illegally poached animals.

Small scale units,their products and waste disposal

Eco leather

A man-made alternative to traditional leather that is made from discarded leather off-cuts.

The process of making composition leather is eco-friendly as it recycles waste leather that is normally sent to landfill and uses just water alone (rather than resins and glues) to bind the fibers together.

The fibers are combined with a high-tensile textile core and sealed to maintain strength and durability.

Any required color, texture and grains can be added including specific performance requirements such as scuff protection and fire resistance.

This leather weighs 40% less than traditional leather.

leather processing and waste generated

Chemicals used during processing and their adverse effects

Chrome VI which is the main chemical used in most of the stages in processing which softens and helps in polymerization of the leather is considered as the extremely harmful chemical for the environment.

•Direct contact can cause skin diseases and cancer

•Continuous inhalation can cause respiratory and psychological problems

•This travels through air to miles to cause problems like Nausea, Diarrhea and giddiness.

Other chemicals used which are not eco friendly are Hydrogen sulphite, banned azo dyes, PCP, formaldehyde, cyanide based oils can cause slow poisoning and several health problems.

A survey of 15,000 tannery workers by the non-governmental Society for Environment and Human Development in November 1999 found that more than half of them suffer from ulcers, nearly a third pick up skin diseases, more than a tenth suffer from rheumatic fever and nearly a fifth have jaundice. Other health complaints of leather factory workers include dizziness, headaches, weakness, abdominal pain and eye problems.

Leather processing on ecosystem

“On the basis of quantity of energy consumed per unit of product produced, the leather-manufacturing industry would be categorized with the aluminum, paper, steel, cement, and petroleum manufacturing industries as a gross consumer of energy”

- Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

Use of mineral salted, formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, and cyanide based oils and dyes leads to severe water pollution.

Though water treatment plants are mandatory in all the industries, chemicals from solid wastes seep into underwater causing health problems in nearby cities and villages.

The treated water contains so called non poisonous chemicals used in irrigation also leads to slow poisoning in long run.

The ignored waste disposal around the city increases diseases caused and spread by animals and birds.