Francis Tsang, co-founder of the ChromeFree Leather Alliance, writes that Tibetan communities have always been herding yaks and sheep, letting them graze freely. Yaks and sheep provide the Tibetans with many valuable nutrients for the community’s consumption (meat and dairy), as well as providing commercial possibilities. To extend the latter, Nera Leather Tanning’s Zeology tanning is helping the tannery in Lhasa get more out of yak hides and Tibetan sheepskin, which would otherwise largely be discarded.
Using the responsible tanning concept, they can get even more use out of the yak and sheep after slaughter. In addition to using the wool, down, and collagen, all of the hides and skins can now be commercialized as well.