The leather industry is a key contributor to India’s economy, playing a crucial role in both domestic and international markets due to its high-quality, fashionable products. However, the rapid expansion of this sector has resulted in the accumulation of significant leather waste, including skin trimmings, keratin, fleshing, chrome shavings, and buffing residues. These waste materials, primarily protein-based, pose serious environmental concerns, particularly when disposed of in landfills, leading to contamination and imposing financial and energy-related burdens.

This study investigates sustainable strategies for managing leather waste by repurposing discarded leather scraps for garments embellishment and enrichment. By transforming these materials in the form of motif patches for utilizing these on apparel articles, the study highlights an innovative approach to waste reduction and resource optimization. This method not only minimizes the environmental footprint of leather waste but also promotes energy and material recovery, contributing to a more circular and sustainable leather industry.