Pakistan Tanners Association initiated comprehensive environmental management program in 1994. Implementation of cleaner Technologies in individual tanneries, implementation of comprehensive solid waste management for tannery solid waste and construction of combined effluent treatment plant (CETP) were major component of the program.

Phase-I of the project was to establish feasibility of each cleaner technology option, develop guidelines for establishment of solid waste management in the sector, evaluation of treatment options available for the tannery cluster.