This study was conducted to identify major defects of hide and skins and assess their impactrnon the quality of the products, estimate the solid wastes generated from the sectorrnand identify possibilities for transforming such waste in to value added consumer products.rnThe study was held in eight selected tanneries in and around Addis Ababa within arnradius of 100 km. Observational survey was conducted in three potential shoe factoriesrnand two year data from Pitards garment & goods manufacturing industry were collectedrnto estimate the volume of waste generated. composite leather boards were prepared usingrnfinished leather wastes and different plant fibers namely enset (Ensete ventricosum), hibiscusrn(Hibiscus cannabinus), jute (Corchorus trilocularis L.), palm (Phoenix dactylifera)rnand sisal (Agave sisalana) employing different binders like natural rubber latex (NRL),rnResin binder (RB), and Poly urethane binder (PUB). These materials were incorporatedrnin different proportions and their products were characterized for their mechanical andrnphysicochemical properties. The Defects of hides and skins were categorized into pre-,rnperi- and post-slaughter problems. The overall prevalence of these defect categories werern81.80% in pre-slaughter, 59.90% in peri-slaughter and 27.80% in post-slaughter in hides.rnThe corresponding values for sheepskin were 87.00%, 36.70%, 32.90%, respectively.rnAbout 70.00, 75.30, 27.20% of goatskins had defects at the pre, peri and post slaughterrnstages respectively. Grade values of hides and skins in this study showed that mostrngrades fall in grade 5, 6 and rejects (7) showing that the quality of the raw materials isrngetting worse than ever due to the effect of defects occurred as pre slaughter mainly ofrn(cockle, scratch, scar), peri slaughter (mainly flaying defects) and post slaughter (mainlyrnputrefaction) that are taking greater share and responsible for the quality deteriorationrnof the raw materials. Composite leather boards prepared using NRL as binder exhibited better mechanicalrnproperties compared to those of control boards. Composites prepared using resin binderrn(RB) and Poly urethane binder (PUB) have shown better tensile strength properties thanrntheir respective controls revealing the compatibility of the resin binder with plant andrnleather fibers. SEM pictures of the products in this study showed composite nature. Inrncomposite sheets prepared using RB having 10 % hibiscus, 20 % palm and 40 % sisalrnfibers showed better mechanical properties than their controls. In those composite sheetsrnmade using NRL having 30 % jute fiber exhibited better mechanical properties than itsrncontrol and meet the required standards for insole/shank board, though has lower valuesrnof tensile strength in wet state than its control. Most of the plant fibers used in this studyrnplayed a role in improving properties of the sheets though it is dependent on the ratiornused and the nature of the binder. It was observed that all of the composite sheets preparedrnin this study can be used as raw material for the preparation of consumer productsrnsuch as insoles, chapel-uppers, light hand bags, false roofing coverage, mouse pads, keyrnchains, wallets, components of furniture and other interior decorations.