Sustainability action plan (TIM), Turkish Exporters Assembly (IDMIB) Leather and leather products association, with the slogan of “WE ARE READY TO GO ON, NOT TO PERISH!”, at the meeting held within the body of Turkey’s sustainability axis, took important topics on the agenda.
As it is on the agenda of the world, it has become a necessity to produce recyclable and sustainable products, which both provide added value to the countries in economic terms and do not harm the nature. The production of products on sustainability in Turkey is an indication that the leather and leather products sector is an important building block, both for the development of SMEs and for taking steps to maintain their place in the sector.
At the meeting, (TIM) Turkish Exporters Assembly President Mustafa GÜLTEPE, and (IDMIB) Leather and Leather Products Association President Güven KARACA, information was given at the meeting held with the participation of associations and important names of the industry.
Among the important topics at the meeting, Leather and Leather Products Sector, sustainability is the main theme of the agenda of the Sustainability Action Plan to develop and implement strategies that support environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices across the sector.
“As we all know, the manufacture of products has a significant impact on the environment and we must take steps to ensure that our practices are sustainable for future generations. Sustainable production refers to the production of products that have minimal impact on the environment, ensuring that we do not deplete natural resources or harm the planet. This is especially true for the leather and leather products industry, which has long been associated with environmental concerns such as water pollution, air pollution, chemical use and deforestation.”
We seek to use innovative and environmentally friendly processes, source materials ethically, and reduce waste to minimize our impact on our planet. We believe our commitment to sustainability will not only help protect the environment, but also benefit our customers, employees and society. Working together, it was envisioned that we could create a future where leather and leather goods production supports the well-being of people and the planet.
Although sustainability studies in the Turkish leather and leather products sector have reached a certain stage in the sub-segments of the sector, they are in the stage of development and spreading to the general sector.
The Turkish leather and leather products industry has a long history dating back to the early times of humanity. Turkey is known for producing high quality leather and leather products, mainly leather, shoes, bags, belts and leather and fur clothing. The leather and leather goods industry is vertically integrated with many companies involved in every step of the production process, from raw materials to finished products. Turkey’s leather industry is also known for its ability to produce a wide variety of leather types such as cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat.
The foundation of our ESG policy accepts the following principles:
-Our aim is to contribute to the sustainable growth of the leather and leather products industry and to provide a lasting economic benefit to our society.
-Responsible corporate behavior regarding environmental, social and governance factors can have a positive impact on long-term financial performance. Doing the right thing is important for the healthy growth of the leather and leather products industry.
-Environmental responsibility:
We plan to reduce the environmental impact of our operations by promoting sustainable practices such as energy and water conservation, waste reduction and responsible chemical use.
-We care about the use of environmentally friendly materials, including environmentally friendly tanning processes and sustainable raw material supply.
-We support initiatives that aim to mitigate climate change and work towards carbon neutrality or carbon footprint reduction goals.
-Social responsibility:
We promote fair workforce practices and prioritize employee well-being and safety throughout the supply chain by ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations.
-We care about diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in the industry by promoting a workplace environment that values and respects all types of employees.
-Governance and Ethics:
We adopt ethical behavior, responsible decision-making and compliance with applicable laws and regulations by establishing transparent and accountable governance practices within the Union.
-We care about ethical sourcing practices, including avoiding materials from illegal or unsustainable sources and promoting traceability and supply chain transparency.
