Arlei is committed to preserving the increasingly fragile environment and contributing to the communities surrounding its facilities.

 Throughout many years of experience in the leather industry, the company has made serious efforts to eliminate environmental impact resulting from the tanning process and integrate its activities harmoniously with the environment and the community.

The company has actively implemented an environmental policy based on the three R’s: Recycling, Reusing and Reducing. All of Arlei’s production methods are environmentally friendly.
 

Arlei has invested U$S 4 million in its effluent treatment plant at Las Toscas – Santa Fe (Northern Argentina), built in the year 2000 . The plant was one of the first of its kind in the country and covering a surface of 1000 square meters and operating 24/7 has a processing capacity of 7,000,000 liters per day. 

 The plant can process 90% of all fluids generated during the tanning process and the remaining 10% goes to a sediment lagoon system that completes the treatment (See photo). Although Arlei complies amply with all TÜV requirements as well as those of its customers, the effluents plant is only one step in the company’s environmental policy. This is consistent with Arlei’s commitment to constant improvement in all areas of the production process.

As with all aspects of quality, Arlei’s commitment to the environment has triggered a demanding Training Program for all its staff that reinforces the company’s policy in this area..

Arlei was the first tannery in Argentina to qualify for the ISO 14001 certificate, guaranteeing its customers and surrounding communities its commitment and ongoing efforts towards the preservation of the environment.
 

Looking after the environment

Arlei is aware of the importance of protecting the environment and the damages that excess waste can produce. To this purpose, the company has taken several steps to minimize waste and has implemented an internal recycling program for different kinds of material such as paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass and plastic. 

The company is concerned about the effects that an increasing daily consumption of paper can have in the environment and as of 2001 it joined the “Paper Recycling Program” for the Garrahan Foundation (a foundation sponsoring a public children’s hospital in Buenos Aires). By encouraging certain habits such as collecting and donating waste paper to this charity organization, the program aims at increasing every employee’s awareness about their contribution to the community and the protection of the environment..