Since ancient times leather used to be the basic need of humans to produce goods such as shoes, jackets, belts, caps etc. The effluent generated from tannery industry is extremely multiplex and distinguish among the elevated substances of inorganic and organic, chromium, sulphides, nitrogenous compounds, dissolved and suspended solids. The processing of leather includes an extensive use of water and synthetics. The tannery wastewater transmits dangerous hexavalent chromium. The discharge of tannery effluent in inappropriate manner causes grievous water and soil pollution. Heavy metals present in wastewater enter the food chain and impact on human health severely. In the current study, an overview of tanning industries along with the eco-friendly leather processing technologies and their ecological significance is briefly studied. The generation of various hazardous pollutants released in different processing steps, the environmental impact, health hazards and its disposal are studied. The studies also include the technological solutions available for reducing the pollution load at the leather processing stage. Wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal are also the scope of the studies.