Increasing tanneries’ awareness on environmental impact and clean technologies

9 December 2004

Following the visits and assessment conducted by the environmental expert (Mr. Augusto Zink) of leather processing in order to explore potentials of tanneries in Albania and considering ACIT efforts in addressing policy issues in a participatory way, so that sustainable development can take place, a meeting with tanneries was held on 9 December 2004, after individual visits that the expert had from 29 November till 8 December all over the country.

The meeting was conducted by tannery expert Mr. Zink and facilitated by ACIT Cluster Coordinator and Research Manager. Important tanneries representing a big portion of leather processing in Albania participated in the meeting. The meeting aimed to present the environmental challenges in this sector as well as tannery association and technological remedies that tanneries can employ within their premises as tools in facing the challenges.

The participant businesses acknowledged the need for an association to address their concerns and participate in policy design and implementation.

ACIT has been engaged in providing assistance to companies interested on certain technological methods that reduce pollution. The materials used are UNIDO recommendations on “Hair-removing methods in the tanneries” and “Pollution norms in various countries”.

Through the expertise of Zink, feedback was provided to Environmental Institute and Ministry of Environment.