A one-day workshop on Advances in Cleaner Production for leather sector and introduction of Best Available Techniques and practices was held at the Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association here. Four key initiatives like awareness promotion; on-site improvement by using cleaner production techniques; demonstration of BAT/BEP practices and its impacts on the effectiveness of overall productions were covered in the workshop covered.
Addressing the workshop Director General TDAP Qamar Zaman appreciated the theme of workshop and assured the participants that TDAP will extend its full support and assistance to Tannery Zone Project for its complete success. Expressing the hope he said that proceedings of the workshop would lead to development of recommendations for better leather productivity and arranging such awareness promotion activities are useful to encourage tanneries to participate in the programme and strengthen their awareness and knowledge of cleaner production.
The workshop was chaired by Director General TDA Qamar Zaman, whereas Chairman and CEO STAGL, Environmental Protection Department, SMEDA, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce, Leather/Tannery related Zone association, representatives of international development agencies, Govt. Officials, members and civil society attended the workshop.
Speaker from International Islamic University Islamabad, Prof Dr. Muhammad Irfan Khan in its Key-note explained the role of waste management in the context of circular economy transition which is facing challenges in moving beyond the perception of 'waste as a problem' to 'waste as a resource' extended collectively defined as circular economy initiatives.
He further stated that both waste prevention as well as a widespread growth in circular economy activities will require a coherent and holistic approach that takes recovery options into account at every stage of the leather product life cycle.
The workshop resulted in advising Professional and technical support which is instrumental in improving tanneries production processes and mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation efforts through sharing of experience and best practices.
Addressing the workshop Ahtesham Gillani, CEO STAGL, lauded the collaboration from UNIDO-GEF, TDAP, EDP Govt. of Punjab and STAGL is spearheading the development of leather sector of Pakistan.
Further he appraised that Cleaner production seeks to achieve improvements in the entire leather production process, from design, materials procurement, production techniques to workflow, through the application of advanced technologies and management practices. The implementation of CP technologies is also integral part of Leather Working Group (LWG).