Wasteland by Oliver Franklin-Wallis 

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

BBC Radio 4 LW

Wasteland by Oliver Franklin-Wallis: Unholy Water

Wasteland by Oliver Franklin-Wallis

Unholy Water

BBC Radio 4 - Wasteland by Oliver Franklin-Wallis, Unholy Water

In the waters of the Ganges lies the true cost of producing cheap leather goods.

The Ganges is one of the most sacred rivers in the world and yet is also one of the most polluted. Oliver Franklin-Wallis discovers the true cost of cheap leather goods.

Tanning is an ancient art honed over centuries. It traditionally uses vegetable dye to soften and colour hides. However, a quicker, modern approach uses chromium salts to create the same effect, but the fallout from the process is contributing to the poisoning of one of the most sacred rivers in the world and the people who live and work around it. 

Oliver Franklin-Wallis discovers the true cost of cheap leather goods. 

Read by Russ Bain
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Produced by Naomi Walmsley

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Audiobooks

Podcasts

Factual

A headfirst dive into the murky world of recycling.

Book of the Week. Oliver Franklin-Wallis has not written a book about rubbish, but about the far bigger concerns around how much waste humans are producing and what we do with it.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Wasteland by Oliver Franklin-Wallis

Unholy Water

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4