Bangladesh has the potential to expand its share of leather and leather products in the global market if it can make its tanneries fully compliant with international standards. This is possible since Bangladesh has the advantage of a secure domestic supply of raw hides and skins and can gain from a higher value addition by making products from processed leather. Since China is moving toward high-end markets of leather and related goods including footwear this has created opportunities for countries like Bangladesh. For Bangladesh, leather is the second largest earner of foreign currency after garments.

However, for now solid waste is not treated properly in the leather industry. Sludge is not properly managed, dumping yards are open and poorly managed and the drainage systems require more maintenance. Pipelines and motors used in central effluent treatment plants are not capable of taking the load of the peak season. Tanneries need incentives for better environmental management and ensuring occupational safety.

Bangladesh needs tanneries compliant with a Leather Working Group (LWG) standard. LWG is made up of member brands, retailers, leather manufacturers, chemical suppliers and technical experts that have worked together to develop an environmental stewardship protocol specifically for the leather manufacturing industry.