Title: Applying the principles of sustainable development in the leather industry in Morocco: tannery case

Authors: Meryem Aziz Alaoui; Mohammed Ezzine; Mohammed Azzi

Addresses: Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University Hassan II Ain Chock, P.O. Box 5366, Maarif, Casablanca, Morocco. ' Laboratory of Materials Thermostructural and Polymers, Faculty of Science, University Hassan II Mohammedia, Ben-Sik – Casablanca, Av.Hassan II – B.P 150, 150 – Casablanca, Morocco. ' Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University Hassan II Ain Chock, P.O. Box 5366, Maarif, Casablanca, Morocco

Abstract: Tanning is the intermediate stage in production of leather products and it is the most negative aspect in terms of industrial pollution in the leather sector in Morocco. At present, the main concern of tanning units is the consideration of sustainable development in the competitive modernisation of this sector whose added value is important for the national economy. The introduction of the profitable environmental management (PREMA®) tools (GTZ, P3U, 2006) in tannery units, has achieved a triple win: economic, environmental and socio-organisational. The dynamics efficiency gains and the quantitative results presented have motivated the company to engage in sustainable development path.

Keywords: leather industry; tanneries; profitable environmental management; PREMA; sustainable development; Morocco; sustainability; tanning units; environmental pollution; tannery waste.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2012.049194

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2012 Vol.11 No.2, pp.180 - 193

Accepted: 05 Jul 2012
Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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