Questions Flashcards
(21 cards)
Define Waste mgt
Waste management is the collection, transportation, disposal or recycling, and monitoring of waste materials.
Discuss All the Stages Involved in Waste Management
Waste Generation: This is the initial stage where waste is produced from various sources such as households, industries, agriculture, and commercial establishments.
On-site Handling and Storage: Waste is temporarily stored at the point of generation in appropriate containers to prevent health hazards and facilitate easy collection.
Collection: Waste is gathered from various sources and transported to designated locations. Efficient collection systems are vital to prevent littering and environmental contamination.
Transportation: Collected waste is transported using specialized vehicles to treatment or disposal facilities. Proper transportation ensures safety and minimizes environmental impact.
Processing and Treatment: Waste undergoes processes like recycling, composting, incineration, or other treatments to reduce volume and toxicity, recovering valuable resources where possible.
Disposal: The final stage involves the safe disposal of residual waste, typically in landfills or through incineration, ensuring minimal environmental harm.
Discuss How Different Types of Production Systems Impact the Quality of Hides and Skins
Extensive Systems: Animals are raised in open pastures with minimal human intervention. While cost-effective, this system often results in hides with defects due to exposure to parasites, injuries, and branding.
Intensive Systems: Animals are kept in controlled environments with regular health monitoring and feeding. This leads to higher-quality hides with fewer defects, as animals are less exposed to harmful external factors.
Semi-Intensive Systems: A combination of both, where animals graze during the day and are sheltered at night. The quality of hides from this system varies based on management practices.
Discuss Tanning as a Process and All the Stages Involved
Tanning is the transformation of the perishable product (hides and skin)into a nonperishable (leather)
Stages /steps
1.storage and beam room (soaking ,dehairing,fleshing
2.Tannery operations
Deliming ,bating ,pickling and tanning(Curing: Preserving hides using salt or drying to prevent bacterial growth.
Soaking: Rehydrating hides to remove dirt and restore moisture.
Liming: Treating with lime to loosen hair and remove natural fats.
Fleshing: Removing residual flesh and fat from the inner side.
Deliming and Bating: Neutralizing the lime and softening the hide using enzymes.
Pickling: Lowering the pH to prepare hides for tanning.
Tanning: Applying tanning agents (like chromium salts or vegetable tannins) to stabilize the collagen fibers.
Post-Tanning Operations: Includes drying, dyeing, and finishing to achieve desired texture and color.
Discuss the Main Challenges Facing the Hides and Skins Industry
Quality Degradation Due to Poor Animal Husbandry
Inadequate animal care leads to defects like scratches and diseases, reducing the quality of hides and skins.
Illegal Trade and Smuggling
Smuggling bypasses veterinary inspections, increasing the risk of spreading diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
Environmental Pollution from Tanning Processes
Improper disposal of tanning chemicals leads to significant environmental pollution, affecting water and soil quality.
Labor Exploitation and Unsafe Working Conditions
Workers often face hazardous conditions and exposure to harmful chemicals without adequate protection.
Declining Supply of Raw Materials
Factors like declining meat consumption and diseases such as ringworm reduce the availability of quality hides.
Market Volatility and Decreased Demand
Global market fluctuations have led to decreased demand and lower prices for hides and skins.
Negative Public Perception and Ethical Concerns
The industry faces criticism over animal welfare, environmental impact, and labor practices.
Inadequate Infrastructure and Technology
Lack of modern facilities hampers efficient and environmentally friendly processing of hides and skins.
Regulatory Challenges and Compliance
Navigating complex environmental and labor regulations requires significant investment and adaptation.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Livestock
Changing environmental conditions affect livestock health, reducing the availability and quality of hides and skins.
Discuss How Hides and Skin Procedures Manage Environmental Impact
Effluent Treatment: Implementing wastewater treatment plants to neutralize harmful chemicals before discharge.
Solid Waste Management: Recycling or safely disposing of solid waste generated during processing.
Use of Eco-friendly Chemicals: Adopting vegetable tanning and other sustainable methods to reduce chemical usage.
Energy Efficiency: Utilizing energy-efficient machinery and renewable energy sources in processing facilities.
Describe Hides and Skins Processing
Pre-Tanning: Cleaning, soaking, and removing hair and flesh.
Tanning: Stabilizing the hide to prevent decomposition.
Post-Tanning: Drying, dyeing, and finishing to achieve the desired product quality.
What Are the Main Steps in Hide and Skin Processing
Curing
Soaking
Liming
Fleshing
Deliming
Bating
Pickling
Tanning
Drying
FinishingCuring
Definition: Preservation of hides and skins immediately after flaying.
Purpose: Prevents decomposition by removing moisture.
Methods:
Dry curing: Using salt and air-drying.
Wet salting: Packing hides in layers of salt.
- Soaking
Definition: Rehydrating dried hides/skins by immersing them in clean water.
Purpose:
Remove dirt, blood, salts, and other impurities.
Restore moisture to original condition.
- Liming
Definition: Treating hides/skins with lime (calcium hydroxide) and sometimes sodium sulfide.
Purpose:
Remove hair, epidermis, and interfibrillary substances.
Open up fiber structure for better chemical penetration.
- Fleshing
Definition: Mechanical removal of residual flesh, fat, and connective tissue from the inner side of the hide.
Purpose:
Clean the hide and prepare it for tanning.
Improve chemical penetration in later processes.
- Deliming
Definition: Removal of excess lime from hides after liming.
Purpose:
Lower pH gradually.
Prepare the hide for enzymatic treatment (bating).
- Bating
Definition: Treatment of hides/skins with enzymes.
Purpose:
Further clean the hide.
Soften the fibers.
Improve flexibility and quality of leather.
- Pickling
Definition: Soaking hides in a solution of salt and acid (usually sulfuric acid).
Purpose:
Prevent bacterial growth.
Lower the pH in preparation for tanning.
Stabilize hides for storage if tanning is delayed.
- Tanning
Definition: Conversion of raw hide into leather using tanning agents (like chromium salts, vegetable tannins, aldehydes).
Purpose:
Stabilize the protein structure.
Make the leather resistant to rotting and improve durability.
- Drying
Definition: Removing excess moisture after tanning.
Purpose:
Prepare the leather for finishing.
Improve shelf life.
- Finishing
Definition: Surface treatment of leather.
Purpose:
Improve appearance (color, gloss).
Protect the leather surface.
Add desired properties (like waterproofing or softness).
Describe the Different Types of Tanning Agents Used in Hides and Skins/Leather Processing
Chrome Tanning: Uses chromium salts; produces soft, durable leather.
Vegetable Tanning: Utilizes tannins from plant sources; results in firmer leather suitable for belts and soles.
Aldehyde Tanning: Employs glutaraldehyde; often used for white or light-colored leathers.
Synthetic Tanning (Syntans): Uses synthetic chemicals to achieve specific leather properties.
Alum Tanning: Involves aluminum salts; produces soft, white leather, often used in bookbinding.
Describe All the Main Quality Control Measures in Hide and Skin Processing
Describe All the Main Quality Control Measures in Hide and Skin Processing
Inspection: Checking for defects and ensuring uniform thickness.
Chemical Testing: Verifying the correct application of tanning agents.
Physical Testing: Assessing tensile strength, flexibility, and durability.
Environmental Monitoring: Ensuring waste disposal complies with environmental regulations.
Traceability: Maintaining records to trace the origin and processing history of each hide.
Discuss the Contribution of Hides and Skins to Local Economies
Employment Generation: The industry provides jobs across various stages, from animal rearing to processing and marketing.
Income for Rural Communities: Processing hides and skins offers additional income sources for rural dwellers.
Export Revenue: Countries benefit from exporting hides and skins, which serve as significant sources of foreign currency.
Support for Artisanal and Cultural Industries: Hides and skins are integral to traditional crafts and cultural expressions, contributing to both personal income and the national economy.
Waste Reduction and Environmental Benefits: Utilizing animal by-products like hides and skins reduces environmental waste.
Development of Ancillary Industries: The hides and skins sector stimulates growth in related industries, such as chemical production for tanning, machinery manufacturing, and logistics.
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Enhancement of Livestock Value: By providing additional revenue streams from animal by-products, the industry increases the overall value of livestock.
Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): The sector supports numerous SMEs involved in leather processing and product manufacturing.
Contribution to Fashion and Design Sectors: Leather derived from hides and skins is a staple in fashion, supporting designers and manufacturers.
Cultural Preservation and Identity: The use of hides and skins in traditional attire and ceremonies helps preserve cultural heritage and identity.
What Are the Main Challenges Facing Hide and Skin Production
Challenges include
Poor Animal Husbandry Practices
Inadequate care, such as lack of proper housing and fencing, leads to injuries and diseases in animals, resulting in lower-quality hides and skins.
Improper Slaughtering Techniques
Unskilled flaying and slaughtering methods cause cuts and holes in hides and skins, diminishing their value and usability.
Inadequate Preservation and Storage
Lack of proper preservation methods, like salting or drying, and poor storage conditions lead to decomposition and quality deterioration.
Limited Access to Markets
Producers often face challenges in accessing markets due to poor infrastructure and lack of market information, affecting profitability.
Lack of Quality Grading Systems
Absence of standardized grading systems makes it difficult to assess and price hides and skins appropriately, leading to market inefficiencies.
Environmental Pollution from Tanning Processes
The tanning industry contributes to environmental pollution through the release of hazardous chemicals, affecting ecosystems and human health.
Declining Livestock Populations
Factors like diseases and reduced meat consumption lead to a decrease in livestock numbers, affecting the availability of raw hides and skins.
Lack of Skilled Labor
The industry suffers from a shortage of trained personnel in processing and handling hides and skins, impacting quality and efficiency.
Inadequate Infrastructure
Insufficient facilities for slaughtering, processing, and storage hinder the production and quality of hides and skins.
Market Volatility and Price Fluctuations
Global market dynamics cause fluctuations in the prices of hides and skins, affecting the stability and profitability of the industry.
Describe the Effects of Environmental Change on the Hides and Skin Industry
Livestock Health: Increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can stress animals, leading to skin conditions and diseases that degrade hide quality.
Water Scarcity: Tanning processes require substantial water. Droughts and water shortages hinder processing capabilities and increase costs.
Regulatory Pressures: Environmental concerns have led to stricter regulations on waste disposal and emissions, requiring tanneries to invest in cleaner technologies.
Supply Chain Disruptions: Extreme weather events can disrupt transportation and logistics, affecting the timely delivery of raw materials and finished products.
What is Splitting as a Process
Splitting is a mechanical process in leather manufacturing where a thick hide is divided horizontally into two or more layers:
Grain Layer (Top Grain): The uppermost layer, featuring the natural surface of the hide. It is the most valuable due to its strength and aesthetic appeal.
Split Layer: The lower layer(s) obtained after splitting. These are further processed into suede or used in products where the grain surface is not required.
This process allows manufacturers to produce leather of varying thicknesses suitable for different applications.
Discuss the Different Layers of Skin and Products Attained from Each
The Epidermis
Description:
The epidermis is the outermost, thin layer of the skin, made of an outer horny layer (dead cells) and an inner soft mucous layer (living cells). It contains keratin, a tough protein also found in hair, nails, hooves, and scales.
Properties:
Provides a protective covering.
Decomposes easily during the liming process because it breaks down under strong alkaline solutions.
Products Attained:
Keratin-Based Products: Like powders or extracts used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Removed during processing to reveal the grain for quality leather.
- The Grain Layer
Description:
Just beneath the epidermis, the grain layer is made of tightly woven fibers, giving leather its smooth surface without loose fibers. It retains the characteristic hair follicle patterns.
Properties:
Strong and durable.
Attractive due to the natural grain pattern.
Products Attained:
Top-Grain Leather: Used for high-quality leather goods such as handbags, jackets, wallets, and car seats.
- The Grain/Corium Junction
Description:
This transitional layer has larger and less tightly woven fibers than the grain layer. It contains blood vessels and, in wool-sheep skins, fat cells.
Properties:
Provides moderate support to the skin.
Removal causes weaker grain structure.
Products Attained:
Medium-Grade Leather: Used for moderate-quality leather products like belts, shoes, and gloves.
- The Corium Layer
Description:
The corium is made up of much larger, looser fibers and gives leather its main strength. It contains interfibrillary proteins (mucoids and albumens) that hold collagen fibers together.
Properties:
Source of the leather’s strength and thickness.
Removal of interfibrillary proteins makes leather softer.
Products Attained:
Split Leather: Used for suede products (shoes, jackets, upholstery).
Thick and Durable Leather Goods: Like saddles and work boots.
- The Flesh Layer
Description:
This is the innermost layer, next to the animal’s body. It has very loosely woven fibers and little strength.
Properties:
Low commercial value by itself.
Must be removed early during processing.
Products Attained:
Low-Grade Products: Such as suede linings, patchwork leather or recycled into leatherboard (for bookbinding or construction).
Discuss How the End Products of Hides and Skins are Managed and Later Reused
End products from hides and skins include leather goods like shoes, bags, and furniture. Management and reuse involve:
Recycling: Old leather products can be repurposed into new items or ground into leather fibers for composite materials.
Upcycling: Transforming waste leather into higher-value products, such as fashion accessories.
Energy Recovery: Waste from leather processing can be used as a fuel source in energy production.
Give the Main Ways Hides and Skins Processors Ensure Product Safety
Chemical Management: Using approved tanning agents and dyes to minimize harmful residues.
Quality Control: Regular testing for physical and chemical properties to meet safety standards.
Traceability: Maintaining records of raw material sources and processing methods.
Certifications: Adhering to international standards like ISO and obtaining certifications to assure consumers of prod
Discuss How Hides and Skins Contribute to the Pharmaceutical Industries and Traditional Medicine
- Source of Collagen for Drug Capsules & Cosmetics: Collagen from bovine hides is used in
pharmaceutical capsules, wound healing creams, and anti-aging products. - Wound Dressing and Healing Agents: Goat or sheep skin used as traditional dressings for
burns and wounds due to its natural healing properties. - Bone and Hide Ash in Traditional Remedies: Burned hides are mixed with herbs to treat
skin diseases, bone pain, and swellings. - Leather-Derived Enzymes: Enzymes like trypsin and pepsin from hides are used in
digestive aids and lab kits. - Traditional Tonics and Smoke Therapy: Smoke from hides is used in rituals for cleansing
or postnatal recovery. - Natural Balm Base: Fats and oils derived from hides are used to prepare traditional
ointments and balms. - Carrier for Herbal Mixtures: Skins are used to wrap or apply herbal remedies directly
onto affected body parts. - Boiled Skin Decoctions: Some regions use boiled hides to extract collagen-rich solutions
for treating joint pain - Cleansing Steam Baths: Boiled hides are part of herbal steam baths
