Speakers at a seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh have called for an advanced Central Effluent Plant (CETP) to treat both chemical and solid waste generated by tanneries in the area. Although a CETP is currently being constructed in Savar, this will only treat chemical effluent and not solid waste.

The seminar entitled "Pollution and Waste Management: Tannery Relocation to Savar" was jointly organised by the Department of International Relations, the University of Dhaka and the Bangladesh Paribesh Banchao Andolon (BAPA).

A research paper on the current tannery relocation and waste management was presented from the Department of International Relations, which urged that the tanneries remain distant from any residential buildings, markets or schools. It also called for the establishment of a proper health care system and hospital facilities near to the new tannery site in Savar and called for proper training for employees in the handling of chemicals.

Bangladesh’s Small and Cottage Industries Corporation began the tannery relocation project in 2003 in an attempt to reduce pollution in Dhaka and the Buriganga river. Once completed, the zone will have the capacity to house approximately 195 leather industrial units creating employment opportunities for around 100,000 people.