Abstract:
The focus of the research is to assess environmental challenges of the leather industry in the case
of the Waliya leather and leather products factory. Exploratory research design was employed.
Both qualitative and quantitative research approach were applied. Stratified Sampling was used.
Primary and secondary data were collected by questionnaires and semi structured interview. To
analyze the data, statistical package for social science (SPSS) which is statistical software
package become applicable accordingly. The finding of the study revealed that environmental
policy, regulations and standards are not properly implemented by Waliya leather and leather
products factory due to lack of cost effective mechanism of treating its waste, financial constraint
and skill in running common effluent treatment plant. The management of the factory perceives
using environmental treatment plant has additional cost of production and makes less
competitive in the industry. Due to lack of awareness Waliya leather and leather products
factory management were protect the environment in its minimal way and it is based on afraid
of penalty not willingly to protect the environment. Workers were not comfortable with the safety
measures in Waliya leather and leather products factory. In addition, it is found that there are
significant number of employees who do not take training about environment protection and
safety. The coordination between different stakeholders in the implementation of environmental
standards to the leather industry is weak due to different priorities and focus of different
stakeholders. The MOI gives more focus to the export targets, less mainstreaming of
environmental issues especially before the formulation of Climate Resilient Green Economy
Strategy; whereas Ministry of Environment and Forest and Addis Ababa city government Akaki
kality sub city have great concern on the environment issues but lack of bringing innovative
solution. Lastly the study recommends Waliya leather and leather product factory managers
have to use participatory approaches in dealing with the environmental protection problem
caused by the factory around villagers and Addis Ababa city administration should combined
concrete policy implementation mechanisms which designed to solve environmental impact
caused by Waliya leather and leather product factory.
