FIELD: leather industry. SUBSTANCE: leather waste is moistened and mechanically processed prior to be subjected to garnetting. Mechanical processing is performed by way of pressing waste under pressure from 5 to 20 x 106 N/sq. m until moisture 25-70% is attained, and garnetting is conducted to 0.5-4.5 x 10-3 fraction content within the range 5-90%. Wetting of leather waste is performed by holding material in climatic chamber or by directly watering it at 20-70 C. Garnetted material may be partially dried at 80-140 C for 0.5-90.0 min. EFFECT: leather mass obtained is compatible with pulp in paper making. 1 tbl
