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Curing of hides and skins using sodium salt is a well-established and economical preservation technique worldwide.  But it contributes to generating a large amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) and increasing the salinity of water during leather processing which is a threat to the environment.  The current research is an attempt to preserve goat skin using mahogany (Swietenia mahogany) seed’s extract.  In real practice different percentages of mahogany seed extract were applied on raw goat skin and 3% (by weight of skin) of it showed best result.  To evaluate the preservation efficiency, related parameters of preservation viz. odor, hair slip, shrinkage temperature, moisture content, bacterial count etc. were monitored regularly for 30 days.  The obtained results were compared with conventional salt curing process.  The experimental trial showed efficiency in lessening TDS value and chloride content. The preserved goat skins of both trials were treated following conventional leather processing techniques and physical properties were studied. The discussed preservation method exhibited comparable result in every index.

After a certain period or end-of-life (EoL), all the valuable products become waste if they are not properly managed. This study reveals the appropriate and sustainable pathway to manage the various solid wastes coming from used footwear (boots) of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and other Forces. The major parts separated from the collected four pair of used boots include leather, thermoplastic rubber (TPR) materials (e.g., sole, toe puff, stiffener, etc.), laces, metal shank, metal eyelet, etc. Careful observation of the used boots and its separated parts indicated 92-96% damage of the boots after the use of the boots for six months. Based on the properties of different parts of used boots, an integrated 4R’s waste management (reuse, recycle, recovery, and reduce) concept was introduced. It helps to minimize greenhouse gas, smog, heavy metals, dyes, pigments, and other pollutants emission to the atmosphere, thereby reducing the severe health consequences, environmental pollution, and climate change. This paper also discusses the critical aspects of various materials obtained from the post-consumer used boot through different mechanical, thermochemical, and chemical treatment processes.

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