| Leather tanning, one of mankind's oldest industries, is in a time of environmental transition. Traditionally a "wet" industry, many processes result in pollution loads which are not acceptable in today's legislative environment. For this study, the largest Canadian Retanner, located outside of Montreal, Quebec, allowed its processes and associated waste products and loads to be characterized. A physico-chemical treatment regime, utilizing precipitation, coagulation, and flocculation technology, was then proposed and implemented on the laboratory level. The results were positive, but the solid waste product from treatment was found to present its own set of environmental problems. Finally, the various reuse, recycling, and reduction opportunities applicable to the tanning industry were explored, as was their applicability to the re-tanner in question. |
