Concerning septic tanks specifically, I’ve read that it is OK to dump any photographic chemistry down the drain as long as they are thoroughly oxygenated. To do this you put chemistry in open troughs, stir every now and then and leave for over 24 hours.
- In that case, manufacturers suggest that small amounts of chemicals can be diluted with water and flushed down the drain. Although you should never put used chemicals into a septic tank as this may cause damage and compromise its effectiveness.
How do you dispose of photographic chemicals?
In the US, you will be able to dispose of your darkroom chemicals in Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), landfills, and other waste disposal sites. You can find your local waste disposal site by searching up “ Environmental Protection Agency household hazardous waste ” followed by the name of your state.
Can film developer go down the drain?
Fixer contains high levels of silver and cannot go down the drain. Used developer can go down the drain. Used stop solution, if it is not mixed with fixer, can go down the drain.
What Cannot be flushed down a septic tank?
Don’t Put Anything Non-Biodegradable in Your Septic System Disposable diapers. Paper towels. Plastics. Sanitary napkins or tampons.
What chemical kills septic tank?
Caustic soda or lye at high levels in a septic tank risks killing the bacteria needed to break down sewage pathogens both in the tank itself and also in the soil into which the septic tank effluent is discharged.
Can photographic chemicals go down the drain?
If such disposal routes are not available, small amounts of used chemicals should be flushed down the drain with plenty of water. Do not mix chemicals for disposal. It is inadvisable to dispose of used photographic chemicals into a septic tank because this may compromise its effectiveness.
How do you dispose of black and white photo chemicals?
Color Darkroom Chemicals After you have collected enough, dispose of them properly by transporting them to the nearest hazardous waste disposal facilities to you. An alternative to disposing of chemicals used in your darkroom is to take them to a photo lab, if you can find one, and ask them to dispose of them.
How do you dispose of developer chemicals?
If they are unused chemicals, you can combine developer and fixer to neutralize them and then pour down your drain leading to a municipal water treatment center. (Do not dump it into a septic system.) Don’t dump selenium toner down the drain. Most else can be dumped.
How do you dispose of developer solution?
In most areas, used developer can be sewered, although, you should check with your local wastewater treatment plant for any restrictions or guidance. Flush the drain thoroughly as you dispose of the developer into the drain.
How do you neutralize a film developer?
But if you are still concerned, put your used fixer in a plastic milk jug, drop in a few small pieces of steel wool, shake and let it sit for a few days. The silver will precipitate out as a sludge, and the liquid can then be dumped with no problem.
Do septic tank additives really work?
There is little scientific data to suggest that you should add bacteria or enzymes to your septic system. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reported that biological additives do not appear to improve the performance of healthy septic tanks.
Does hair break down in a septic tank?
Why Hair is a Such a Problem It’s composed of tough strands of proteins similar to those in your fingernails, and it’s not easily broken down by bacteria. Even if it doesn’t for years in your septic tank, it’ll almost certainly last for longer than the 24-48 hours that it sits in your septic tank.
What will ruin a septic system?
Any paper products like tissues, paper towels, tampons, or sanitary products, even some heavier toilet paper, will clog your system if you flush enough of it. Wet wipes are another product that you should never flush into a septic system.
What chemicals should you avoid with a septic tank?
But to make it even clearer, here are the top ten household products to avoid when you have a septic tank.
- Fabric softeners.
- Latex products.
- Medicines.
- Antibacterial soap.
- Cosmetics.
- Drain cleaners.
- Bleach.
- Dishwasher and laundry detergent.
Should you put chemicals in a septic tank?
In general, septic system chemicals are not needed and are not recommended: Chemicals and other additives promoted to keep a septic system “healthy” or “free-flowing” or “nourished” are generally not required nor recommended by expert sources.
Can I put muriatic acid in my septic tank?
You don’t want to put muriatic acid into your septic system or into a municipal sewage system. That means you need to add it to your toilet bowl when the water level in the bowl is minimal. If you add any extra, it will go down the drain line toward your septic tank.
Chemicals and septic tank
- In preparation for developing a roll of 120 tomorrow, I have a couple inquiries. Do you think it’s okay if I flush that small amount of developer (Hc110) down the toilet when I’m conducting the stop bath (with water)? The same goes for the fixer
- Once I pour the old material back into the bottle, is it okay to let the small bit of fixer that remains on the film wash down the drain? I’m going to dump the used developer into an empty water bottle and properly dispose of the fixer at the same time as the developer. I have a septic tank, which is why I’m concerned
- I experienced the same anxiety when I first came into this house, which also had a septic tank. My primary issue was silver saturation in the fixer, so I invested in the silver recovery device that John Nanian here sells to alleviate that problem. Expired fixer is routed via a silver magnet and then through the trickle tank before being discharged into the septic system. The film is washed using the Ilford process, with wash water passing through a trickle tank after each wash. The trickling tank also serves as a holding tank for print holding water and hypo clear. Hopefully, there will be so little silver remaining on the prints once they have been washed that it will not matter. To be on the safe side, and since I enjoy being environmentally conscious, I switched to LPD paper developer, which I replenish and reuse, so limiting the amount of chemicals entering the waste stream. As a result of the dilute nature of my film developer, I’ve had individuals inform me that the same types of chemicals are present in greater quantities in the food I consume
- This is predicated on the idea that you are developing no more than a few rolls every week. The proportions you are using are safe to use even with a septic tank, even if you make the mistake of pouring the whole tank of previously used developer (HC-1110) down the drain. And, as for the fixer, you should be reusing it regardless of the situation. The minuscule quantity that will be flushed down the toilet with your wash water will have no negative impact. Even when the fixer has been utilized up to its maximum capacity, the fixer itself is largely innocuous
- However, the silver contained inside it might cause difficulties with septic tanks. As a result, proper disposal practices are even more critical. The quantity of chemicals used in home darkrooms are not a source of great worry. If you find yourself doing more film, it might be prudent to look at silver recovery options – jnanian, who has been a member here for a long time, offers a “Silver Magnet,” which is a nice small-scale example
- I have the same worries and have been working on film and printing for a while. This counsel seemed sensible to me, and I observe Dan is putting first rinse into his silver magnet, indicating that he is exercising the same amount of caution that I am. What I’m doing is as follows: After usage, HC-110 (I use a 1-shot) and Dektol are poured into a jug. I’ve been reusing the stop bath for film, however when I use plain water as a stop (for Adox CHS 50), the water ends up in the jug as well as the film. I’m going to put it in the jug after I’m finished with the pause. Fixer is also reused and transferred to a different jug once it has been used up. The Illford wash (with an extension: 10-20-40 inversions, two excellent soaks, and a photoflo soak) is used for film
- The first two go into a jug and the last two go into a jug. When it comes to paper, I conduct a long initial wash before putting it in the jug. Afterwards, I drained the wash water down the sink and into the septic tank. I intend to follow the excellent advise from PE and get residual hypo and residual silver test kits, and then test to see whether I can identify any silver at the point where I’m letting it to be disposed of in the septic tank, or residual hypo on the film after I’ve finished washing it. I’m not sure I’ll be able to because the dilution should be really high at that point. The dilemma of what to do with the jugs is an interesting one. I’m using 5 quart containers, which are the same size as the ones I use to buy oil for my truck. The only things that are in the primary ones are the developer, the stop, and the rinse water. I appear to be consuming around 10 quarts of water each month on average. I believe it will be OK to transport those to a location where they may be treated by the municipal wastewater system. I have a separate container for the spent fixer, which I will transport to the hazardous waste disposal location when it is completely empty. I inquired about and discovered that there is no longer any method to recycle it in my location. Anyway, that’s what I’m doing, and I’m not sure if that’s a good idea or not
- But, it appears to be a smart and careful approach. We’ve been on our septic system for 12 years with no issues (I’ve only had it pumped once, and it was just as a matter of course and not for any particular reason). I only started coding a few months ago, so there hasn’t been enough time for me to notice whether something is amiss with the code. Using a microbe enhancer is something I’m considering about doing just in case some incredibly little amount of silver is getting into the system and creating difficulties. It’s not a bad concept in any event, and it can’t harm to try. I believe that my volume might easily go to 20 quarts each month now that I am printing more and also using dektol at a 1:4 ratio, however it is really the initial wash water that accounts for the most of the volume for both paper and film. I make an effort to completely drain all of the fixer from both the film and the paper before placing them in the water bath, so that the whole amount of fixer containing dissolved silver is what adheres to the paper or film. Because I’ve been working with batches of 250ml of fixer, I haven’t noticed any noticeable reduction in the level in the bottle before the fixer is completely depleted. This indicates that the amount of carryover must be extremely small, and that by the time it gets to the second wash, it must be extremely dilute. Good luck and have a good time
- Hello, dlsr In case you are interested in purchasing a silver magnet or trickle tank, please contact me. So if you’re interested in one of my books, that’s fantastic. If not, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to follow you around or anything like that. As previously said, the magnet must be used with well-spent fixer rather than wash water, as previously stated. If the silver content is too low, the magnet will be damaged and eventually fail. In the case of low silver concentrations (wash water plus fixer that has passed through the magnet), the trickling tank is particularly effective when used in conjunction with the magnet. My opinion is that a few dribbles here and there will have little effect on your leechfield. Larger amounts, on the other hand, could be problematic. I’m not sure where you reside, but it’s typically better to check with your local government to find out what you should do when it comes to waste disposal because various jurisdictions have different rules and regulations. goodluck! john The most recent update was made by a moderator on December 18, 2012. The issue of the dark room and the use of chemicals has already been explored extensively in another thread. I made an error in my previous post: Dan stated that the wash travels via the trickling tank. However, under the reducing conditions of a septic tank silver ions are changed to silver sulfide, which is extremely insoluble and so does not pollute our environment. I inferred that he had placed it in the silver magnet by using my words. Apologies. Would go back and change it to make sure no one is deceived, but I don’t see how
- Hello, Doremus Kodak issued a publication stating that it is not acceptable to dispose of anything down the drain and that it is necessary to contact local authorities in order to devise a disposal plan that is appropriate for the circumstance in which you find yourself. I wish I could provide a link to the more recent establishment. = There is nothing to be concerned about. nedL
- Please understand that I am not attempting to start a debate or dispute, however the tech pub you mentioned states that the following: In addition, when investigating this, I looked to the Kodak material and discovered a similar comment in a separate paper concerning picture waste disposal that I thought was interesting. I’m sure I can find a reference, but it said something along those lines. To be completely honest, I believe that tiny amounts of developer and stop and wash water (together with whatever quantity of silver and emulsion residue they contain) would not be detrimental to a septic system. However, I’m attempting to err on the side of caution, both in terms of the operation of my septic system and the ecosystem as a whole. However, according to the same article, municipal trash treatment facilities are capable of handling developer and stop waste, and it is not difficult to save them up so that they may be treated in a treatment plant. I confess that I am going a little too far, but I can see that if you lived in a remote area far away from a municipality or a hazardous waste disposal center, it would be more difficult. I suppose if I were in that circumstance, I’d hunt for a technique to dispose of the waste that didn’t include the septic system, perhaps by evaporation, but I’m not sure. To be honest, it doesn’t bother me if others think I’m being excessively careful. I have to do what I believe to be the safest and best thing to do, and I am by no means an expert in this field. Ned
- The sludge in the bottom of the tank, which is pumped out every 5-7 years for appropriate disposal, is where it is most likely to settle out over time. At least, that’s what I’ve heard from other sources. Ken
- The depleted developer, the spent fixer, and a first tank of wash water are all collected in a plastic gallon jug for the modest volume of work I’ve been performing in areas where I don’t have an on-site septic tank. A second location where I may discard it, where it will be handled at a municipal treatment facility, is available to me. Based on my research on APUG and other sites, I’m not concerned about flushing a few rolls worth of developer into my septic tank every week, but I would not flush used silver down the toilet
- Once I set up a proper darkroom, I’d be very interested in doing so. Right now, I’m just working on a film project. Could you please send me a private message with further information? For the time being, I’m planning on storing my spent chemicals in water bottles and transporting them to the municipal waste treatment facility. I’ll probably pour the wash into the bottle as well, just to be on the safe side of things. I had no idea there was a hazardous materials disposal facility right down the street from where I live, so it shouldn’t be too much of a headache. Regarding the responses, you might also consider looking for schools or mini labs that might already have a recycling plan in place
- They might not mind you simply adding it to their take-out order. Wishing you the best of luck! john
dr5chromeMember
- Date of joining: December 29, 2006 Medium-format camera used by the photographer I would agree with everybody who has stated that this should not be done. DO NOT, under any circumstances, dispose of your photographic waste in your septic system. Make your way to a darkroom that has been connected to a sewer pipe. According to one of Kodak’s publications, there is no negative impact on septic systems as a result of the use of an amateur darkroom. The professional darkroom, on the other hand, is another story
- Really? What magazine are you referring to? A large part of the way septic systems function is that the soil filters the effluent, ensuring that by the time it reaches the groundwater, it is safe to drink. If this did not take place, tainted groundwater would be found everywhere. Consider all of the stuff that people flush down their toilets, including soaps, detergents, home cleaning agents, and who knows what more! As a result, I don’t believe you should be concerned about environmental damage. To reaffirm what has already been said on this website, the only issue that may arise is the presence of silver or silver compounds that interfere with the bacterial action that breaks down solid wastes. However, when compared to a large laboratory, the modest amount of chemicals used by a normal home darkroom worker would be unlikely to cause an issue. The fact is that I have been throwing all of my chemistry down the drain for years and have never heard of any difficulties when my tank is pumped, nor have I heard of any situations where it has happened
- One method to lessen the quantity of chemicals used is to convert from inversion to rotational processing! Another option is to employ a replenishing developer plan, which is beneficial to both your pocketbook and your septic tank or the environment.
fotchMember
- Dec 29, 2006 – Become a member! Median Format Photographer Those that have stated, “DON’T,” have my whole support. DO NOT, under any circumstances, dispose of your photographic waste in your septic tank. Make your way to a darkroom that’s connected to a sewer pipe. In one of its papers, Kodak claims that the use of an amateur darkroom has no negative impact on septic systems. Is it true that the professional darkroom is a different animal? Who wrote the article
- Where did it appear? A large part of the way septic systems function is that the soil filters the effluent, ensuring that by the time it reaches the groundwater, it is safe to consume. If this did not occur, tainted groundwater would be found everywhere. Consider all of the items that people flush down their toilets, including soaps, detergents, home cleaning agents, and who knows what else. There is no need to be concerned about the environment, in my opinion. Reiterating what has already been discussed on this site, the sole issue may be silver or silver compounds interfering with bacterial activity that is responsible for the breakdown of organic wastes. However, when compared to a large laboratory, the modest amount of chemicals used by a normal home darkroom worker is unlikely to be a concern. The fact is that I have been throwing all of my chemistry down the drain for years and have never heard of any difficulties when my tank is pumped, nor have I heard of any examples where it has happened
- One method to lessen the quantity of chemicals used is to convert from inversion to rotational processing. Another option is to employ a refreshed developer scheme, which is beneficial to both your money and the environment.
dr5chromeMember
- Date of joining: December 29, 2006 Medium format was used by the photographer. This is completely irresponsible, even if it is intended to give any novice the impression. While picture garbage is not the worst type of waste, the fact that you are dumping it into the ground water is. If there was ever a time when it was appropriate to quit doing it, this would be it. Alternatively, you might sell your home and go somewhere where there is a sewer connection. Sewer systems are capable of handling picture trash with ease
- But, I am not disposing of film garbage in this manner. When I saw this post, I was thinking about how it substantially minimizes the amount of waste output that I have to store, as well as the additional advantage of minimizing smells in my closet “darkroom.” Most (notice the word “most”) developers are less harmful to the environment than many of the everyday items that people flush down the toilet. Is it time to get out of the bath? Is it possible that someone was serious about including stop bath? What if you had to flush salad dressing down the toilet? The stop bath is even safer if you do so since the fats in the oil in the dressing are more likely to clog your pipes, and the vinegar has a concentration that is similar to that of the stop bath. If you want to recover the silver ion, I’d recommend using the silver magnet to accomplish it. It’s much easier if you don’t want the silver ion in recoverable form (steel wool or aluminum foil), which is what I recommend.
Disposing of Chemicals in a Septic Tank
Shucks! I guess I’ll have to give up on my plan of having a tiny tray of fixer next to my computer simply to relive the memories of that wonderful darkroom fragrance for a little while longer. My father has been interested in photography since he was 15 years old, when he purchased his first camera. I grew up in a home with a dedicated darkroom that was always open. If someone spends many hours every day in such an atmosphere, I feel that the fumes emitted by those chemicals will eventually be hazardous to that person’s health.
Instead of a large-scale commercial operation, the initial inquiry was in reference to the establishment of a small-scale residential darkroom business.
If you wanted to be very picky, you could line the pit with builders’ plastic and fill it with sawdust before digging.
In the following years, you may remove the plastic and discard it, leaving behind dried chemicals and sawdust compost, and try your hand at producing tomatoes.
How To Dispose Of Film Developing Chemicals
The 29th of August, 2019
It is important to know how to dispose of film developing chemicals correctly. This guide will explain the options for getting rid of your waste chemistry.
We believe that starting the development of your film at home is a fantastic concept. On the negative side, you will have to dispose of the film development chemicals when you are finished with your project. If you are new to film photography, this might be an intimidating notion for some people. But don’t fear, there are some basic steps you can take to get started.
Disposal Of Waste Chemistry
First and foremost, you should package all of your waste chemicals in appropriate plastic containers. Different chemicals should not be combined, and they should be kept in separate containers to avoid contamination. Make certain that they are well labeled as well, as it is critical that these liquids can be identified quickly. All sections of the country should have procedures in place for dealing with small quantities of used or undesired home chemicals, which should be coordinated by the local authorities.
By bringing your waste chemicals to us, you can rest assured that they will be disposed of properly.
If you’re lucky, your local government may already have systems in place for the collection of hazardous trash.
Other Disposal Options
Depending on the circumstances, some of these disposal alternatives may not be viable. Manufacturers advise that tiny amounts of chemicals can be diluted with water and flushed down the toilet in this situation. Although it is never a good idea to dump leftover chemicals into a septic tank since this can cause damage and reduce the efficacy of the tank. Although this is not the most optimal approach, it is possible to dispose of small amounts of developers and end baths in this manner without causing too much damage.
The silver content can be recovered using several ways, for as by keeping a ball of steel wool in the liquid for a period of time.
A better alternative would be to visit a local darkroom or photo studio for assistance.
Keep in mind that these firms will have to pay for their garbage collection services, and they may charge you for the privilege of bringing your waste chemicals to their facility.
Environmental Impact
The chemical used in film development is not very dangerous, but it must be handled correctly. Therefore, you should always read the Health and Safety recommendations of any product you want to use before starting. It is critical to ensure that waste items are disposed of properly for the sake of both public health and environmental health. Pouring waste chemicals down the drain should only be done as a last option in most cases. As a manufactured product, it has the potential to do damage to the environment and public health if not handled properly.
- If you are unclear of how to properly dispose of film development chemicals, store them in firmly sealed bottles and get guidance from your local authorities on how to do so properly.
- Businesses will be required to engage the services of a licensed garbage disposal operator.
- Take a look at our guide.
- Additionally, you might be interested in our instructions on How to Develop Black and White Film and How to Develop Color Film.
Explore
The chemical used in film development is not very dangerous, but it must be handled carefully. Therefore, you should always read the Health and Safety recommendations for any product you want to use before starting. In order to protect public and environmental health, it is critical that waste items are disposed of properly. Waste chemicals should always be disposed of in a safe and appropriate manner. As a manufactured product, it has the potential to do damage to the environment and public health if not handled properly.
- If you are unclear how to properly dispose of film development chemicals, store them in firmly sealed bottles and get assistance from your local government.
- A licensed trash disposal operator will be required for all company.
- Take a look at our information.
- In addition, you might be interested in our tips on how to develop black-and-white film and how to develop color film.
Health and Safety
Specifically, this part provides information to our customers on the safe handling, use, and storage of our photochemical solutions, as well as best practices for waste disposal and specific information for women who are pregnant or nursing a child.
HARMAN photochemistry solutions are chemically safe, and the Safety Data Sheets provide detailed information on this (known as SDS or MSDS)
24 HOUR OHES emergency line for advice on chemical incidents
This section provides information to our customers on the safe handling, use, and storage of our photochemical solutions, as well as best practices for waste disposal and information relevant to women who are pregnant or nursing a child. a. If you are seeking for information on the chemical safety of HARMAN photochemistry solutions, please consult the Safety Data Sheets (known as SDS or MSDS)
Waste disposal for photographic products
The following information is specific to the United Kingdom. Users in other countries should look into their own national and municipal systems for dealing with domestic chemical wastes before making a decision. Local authorities in the United Kingdom shall provide provisions for the collection of small amounts of spent or undesired chemical waste (such as paint, cleaning agents, bleach, weed killer, and other similar substances) at Household Waste and Recycling Centers. There is frequently a “chemical cabinet” where chemicals are stored until they are needed.
- Chemistry should be packaged and labeled separately from other substances.
- Domestic users should look at the arrangements that are in place in their immediate vicinity.
- When disposing of chemicals, do not combine them.
- It is recommended that small quantities of scrap film and paper be disposed of like normal household garbage.
Business and Trade users
Scrap film and paper, as well as any used or undesired processing chemicals, should be disposed of through a licensed waste disposal operator. In the waste treatment process, the recovery of silver from old fixer, film, and paper is a critical aspect of the process. Different types of waste chemicals should not be combined; instead, they should be maintained in separate containers that are clearly labeled with the relevant information.
Pregnant and Breast Feeding Women
HARMAN photochemical products in a darkroom or photolab can be used safely by pregnant and nursing women, provided that sufficient control measures are in place, such as excellent working habits, adequate ventilation, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (such as gloves, lab coat and safety glasses). An expectant mother or a mother returning to work while breastfeeding should always have a specific risk assessment completed, which takes into account the likelihood of all potential hazards that could cause harm, such as repeated or heavy lifting, working at height, working in tight spaces, as well as exposure to chemicals, and identifies any changes to working practices or conditions that may be required.
This is always a good practice.
Photochems are no exception to this rule.
ILFORD Photo products do not contain any chemicals that have been identified as potentially harmful to nursing infants.
Some photochemicals include components that may be harmful to an unborn child if used during pregnancy. This is totally prevented by the standard control procedures outlined above. The most important thing to remember is to prevent direct contact by wearing the protective equipment specified above.
Your family and pets
Processing chemicals, like other chemical goods, should be recognized as potentially detrimental to members of your family as well as your pets, and this is especially true for children. As a result, you should make it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for children and pets to obtain photochemical solutions and powders by any means. The photographic processing chemicals from HARMAN should be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Under the condition that common sense working techniques and hygiene standards are followed, any health hazards related with these compounds will be properly controlled.
EHS CDR Photochemicals
Photochemicals and containers should be handled with care to ensure they are safe, ecologically friendly, and cost effective. The proper disposal of unwanted and/or used photochemicals differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and should be handled in accordance with local rules. There are other options, including silver recovery, haul-away, and discharges to appropriate municipal treatment systems. Take steps to ensure that photochemicals are disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
Photochemical Containers
By participating in the KODAK Returnable Drum Program, you may contribute to the reduction of solid waste. A straightforward and convenient method of recycling chemical barrels used in the photofinishing process is provided by this software. Returnable Drums from KODAK
Waste Photochemicals
The use of septic systems for the disposal of photographic processing chemicals is not recommended by Kodak Alaris since the disposal of photographic processing solutions may interfere with the normal operation of the septic system, according to the company. The discharge from septic tank systems has the potential to negatively impact subsurface drinking water supplies. Standards are established by the federal, country, state, and municipal governments in order to reduce the possible influence on subterranean drinking water supplies.
Other choices for disposing of your photoprocessing waste include using domestic hazardous waste collection services in your region, discharging your trash to a local municipal wastewater treatment facility, or hiring a chemical hauler that is licensed in your state.
Sewer / Biological Treatment Systems
The majority of photography processing effluents and washwaters contain compounds that are biodegradable in the environment. They may be compatible with biological treatment systems if they are discharged to a sewage treatment plant that is efficient. Permission from the local treatment authority may be required (typically in the form of a formal authorization or permit, which specifies what may and cannot be discharged, among other things).
Inquire with your local authorities to establish whether or not you require permission and to learn about local discharge limitations.
On-Site Silver Recovery
On-site silver recovery methods are available in a range of configurations. When you understand the size of your business, the quantity of wastewater it produces, and the silver discharge limit in your local region, you will be better able to choose the appropriate technology for your operation. Silver recovery by the use of metallic replacement is advised for consumers with limited volume requirements. Simple to use and maintain, these cartridges are ideal for the home or office. Cartridges that have been used must be delivered to a silver refiner for additional processing and recovery of the metallic silver.
- The type of electrolytic recovery unit that is used is determined by the solutions that are being treated as well as the daily volumes that require treatment.
- These devices are more expensive than simple metallic replacement cartridges and need a greater amount of effort to set up and run successfully than those cartridges.
- These practices are typically only justified when necessary in order to comply with stringent local laws.
- To make the process more efficient, semi-automatic and specialized equipment for automated precipitation is utilized to help.
- If on-site silver recovery is not performed, the owner/operator is responsible for transporting silver-rich solutions off-site for suitable disposal.
Off-Site Silver Recovery
Silver is a precious resource that may be collected and used in a simple and cost-effective manner. It is almost guaranteed that if you are discharging silver-bearing waste solutions (fixer, bleach-fix, and stabilizers, or wash fluids) to the sewer for biological treatment, you will have to collect silver in order to stay under the discharge restrictions given by your local government. If the scale of your photoprocessing business makes on-site recovery difficult, silver-containing solutions can be collected and delivered to an off-site recovery facility for further processing and disposal.
This means that you will be responsible for properly collecting and storing the garbage, as well as informing the waste management business of any risks that may exist so that they can transport and handle the waste safely.
Photochemical Waste Management
Despite the fact that photochemical concentrates may come with prominent danger warnings on their packaging and in Material Safety Data Sheets, once diluted and exhausted, their environmental toxicity is also diluted and exhausted. Nonetheless, they should not be discharged into the environment without proper consideration. Because we like the analog world in which we live, we should take care to ensure that photo-processing trash is disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Knowing your local regulations, where your chemicals go, and how they are treated if they are flushed down the toilet are all critical to your safety.
- More specialized users, such as photo finishers, are subject to additional requirements.
- Users in other countries should look into their own national and municipal systems for dealing with domestic chemical wastes before making a decision.
- These facilities are offered to the general public for the collection of goods from residential usage that should not be disposed of through municipal garbage, septic, or sewage systems, as well as for other purposes.
- The vast majority of home hobbyist photographers fall far below this threshold.
- To find out if the POTW would accept your garbage, you need contact them directly.
- Thus, they are compatible with aerobic (with oxygen) biological treatment systems and may be adequately treated when discharged to municipal wastewater systems, such as those operated by publicly owned treatment works (POTWs).
- In order to be certain, check with your local municipality.
As a result, septic systems are incapable of appropriately treating the effluents generated during photography processing.
A number of parameters, including pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammonia as Nitrogen, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), have typically been established as limits (TDS).
If you are discharging to the local sewer system, you should obtain and review the discharge requirements for your area before determining whether your photographic processing effluent can meet the limits established by your local municipality.
The pH of photo-processing effluent and the content of silver are two important factors to consider.
Fixer has a low pH and is, as a result, somewhat acidic.
These are released in an approximately 2 to 1 ratio, along with a significant amount of wash water (1/2 to 3 gallons per minute) and other waste.
Business owners are responsible for properly disposing of spent or unwanted processing chemicals, as well as scrap film and paper, through the employment of a registered waste disposal company.
International, national, and local regulations often apply, and strict limitations are imposed on businesses regarding which chemicals can be disposed of and in what quantities.
Photographers should look at the arrangements that are in place in their particular location.
We do not recommend that you dispose of unwanted or unused photographic processing solution in your standard garbage can since it might contaminate the environment.
Another important feature of photo-processing effluent is the amount of silver present in the photographic fixer or bleach-fix effluent after processing.
Silver can either be maintained in the photographic material or transferred to the solutions used to treat the photographic materials after they have been processed.
Like one-shot chemistry only retains trace quantities of silver, refilled solutions retain far larger concentrations of silver waste than chemistry that has been repeated until it has reached its maximum capacity.
It’s possible that amateur photographers won’t be compelled to recover silver.
It has environmental benefits, helps to protect a natural resource and may even be a source of cash recovery.
A good approach for recovering silver from photographic processing effluent for lower volume users such as hobbyist photographers is to employ metallic replacement rather than electrolysis.
Silver is replaced by iron in solution, whereas silver, which is a less active metal, settles out as a sludge that is difficult to remove.
The steel wool serves as a supply of iron, which is used to replace the silver.
Because you are a photographer, you have an unusual sensitivity to the surroundings in which you work.
While you may not have to worry about the environmental and safety standards that apply to commercial enterprises as an amateur photographer, you should still be aware of the proper handling and disposal of photographic processing chemicals.
And, as always, exercise caution.
References and external links are provided. Management and disposal of household hazardous waste in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Materials Management, Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation).
Sewer Disposal: What Can Go Down the Drain?
Whatever goes down the drain ends up in the ocean, so the San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Department strictly regulates sewer waste.The only substances allowed down drains are those that meet all of the following criteria:Click on a category below to find out if a substance is allowed to go down the drain.Note:Protect drains from chemical spills — do not use sinks for chemical storage or secondary containment.Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.| Material | Can it go down the drain? | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Biohazardous waste | Solids: NOLiquids: NO, unless they have been deactivated | Liquid biohazardous waste can be decontaminated and made suitable for drain disposal in 2 ways: |
- For best results, deactivate the waste with bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts liquid waste) for 30 minutes before flushing it down the toilet. Occasionally, liquid waste is autoclaved for sterilization. In this situation, do not use bleach. Obtain a copy of the Autoclaving Guidelines for Biohazardous Waste.
When it comes to chemical disinfection of liquid biohazardous waste, bleach is the only disinfectant that has been certified by the University of California, San Diego. If your laboratory would like to learn more about the use of alternative disinfectants to inactivate liquid biohazardous waste, please send an email to the address shown below.
- To disinfect the material
- To employ a disinfectant chemical Concentration of a chemical substance
- Time to make contact
- Techniques for garbage disposal (sewering, hazardous waste pickup)
| Controlledsubstances | NO | ReadControlled Substances: Managing Inventoryfor disposal procedures. |
| Radioactivewaste | NO | ReadHow to Store and Dispose of Radioactive Wastefor disposal instructions. |
| Hazardouschemical waste | NO | ReadHow to Identify Hazardous Chemical Wastefor guidance onhazardouschemical waste determination. Follow appropriate disposal procedures. |
| Non-liquids | Can it go down the drain? | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Solids, sludges, or viscous substances | NO | These items can obstruct the flow of sewage. |
- Learn how to identify hazardous chemical waste in How to Identify Harmful Chemical Waste to decide if your stuff is hazardous or not. Make use of the appropriate disposal processes.
| Powders and salts | NO | These items can obstruct the flow of sewage. |
- They should not be dissolved in water. Learn how to identify hazardous chemical waste in How to Identify Harmful Chemical Waste to decide if your stuff is hazardous or not. Make use of the appropriate disposal processes.
| CorrosivepH levels | Can it go down the drain? | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosive waste with a pH between 2.0 and 5.0 | NO, unless it has been adjusted | You have 2 disposal options: |
- The pH should be increased to higher than 5.0 but less than 12.5 before it is disposed of down the drain
- Nonadjusted waste should be stored and disposed of as hazardous chemical waste.
| Corrosive waste with a pH of 2.0 or lower or pH of 12.5 or higher | NO | This kind of waste is always considered hazardous chemical waste. |
- The pH should be increased to higher than 5.0 but less than 12.5 before it is disposed of down the sink drain. Hazardous chemical waste should be stored and disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
| Hotliquids | Can it go down the drain? | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Hot, nonhazardous liquids (150°F or more) | NO, unless in volumes of less than 10 gallons | For 10 gallons or more of nonhazardous hot liquid: |
- Before putting the liquid down the drain, allow it to cool to less than 150°F.
| Greaseand oil | Can it go down the drain? | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Grease and oil | NO, unless the concentration is less than 500 mg per liter | For higher concentrations: |
- Before putting the liquid down the drain, allow it to cool to below 150°F.
| Common questions | Can it go down the drain? | What to do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohols | NO, unless the concentration is nonhazardous | Ethanol is nonhazardous in concentrations less than 24%. Dilution of higher concentrations of any alcohol isnot allowed.For other alcohols: |
- For further information on whether your concentration is harmful, consult the Known Hazardous and Extremely Hazardous Wastelist. If it is, it should be disposed of as hazardous chemical waste.
| Formalin and formaldehyde | NO, unless the concentration is nonhazardous and does not contain methanol or other hazardous chemicals | This concentration is nonhazardous and can go down the drain: |
- The use of formalin solutions that contain less than 2.9 percent formaldehyde is prohibited.
It is not permissible to dilute larger quantities of substances. For greater concentrations, use the following formula:
- You may learn more about how to store and dispose of hazardous chemical waste in this article.
| Hydrogen peroxide | NO, unless its concentration is less than 8% | Dilution of higher concentrations is not allowed. For higher concentrations: |
- You may learn more about how to store and dispose of hazardous chemical waste by reading this article:
| Photo and X-ray processor chemicals | NO, unless it is spent photo developernotmixed with fixer | For concentrated, unused processor chemicals and other spent solutions: |
- Detailed disposal procedures may be found in How to Dispose of Photo and X-ray Processor Waste.
| Otherchemicals | NO, unless the concentration is nonhazardous | Some chemicals are hazardous in any concentration. Dilution of higher concentrations isnot allowed. |
- Verify if the waste is on the known hazardous and very hazardous waste list to determine the hazardous concentration levels and proper disposal methods
| Latexpaint | NO | ReadLatex Paint Disposalfor disposal instructions. |
| Oil paint | NO | ReadHow to Store and Dispose of Hazardous Chemical Wastefor disposal instructions. |
| Wash and rinse water | NO, unless it hasnotbeen contaminated by hazardous materials or highly caustic, acidic, or toxic cleaning solutions | ReadWash and Rinse Water Disposalfor complete information. |
Services
Links to Important Documents Weather Conditions That Are Unfavorable For the years 2021-2022, this is the holiday schedule. Checklist for Recycling During the Holidays Calendars for the Collection Weeks in 2021 and 2022 In addition to James City County, the cities of Poquoson and Williamsburg, and York County, the curbside recycling program is a regional operation. TFC Recycling will be the contractor for this service, which will commence on July 1, 2019. What may I put in my recycling bin? See the list below, or download ourCurbside Recycling Brochure, or click here to see the short film “Recycling 101.” You may also watch this educational video by clicking on the link below.
Curbside recycling is collected every two weeks; the weeks are color coded as RED or BLUE, respectively.
| James City Countycall 757-253-6700 | or clickHEREand enter your home address |
| Poquosoncall 757-868-3590 | or clickHEREand go to Question3 |
| Williamsburgcall 757-220-6140 | or clickHEREand enter your home address |
| York Countycall 757-890-3780 | or clickHEREand scroll down to access the property information system |
If you are unable to locate your service day or week using the given information, please contact us at 757-259-9850 and we will happily assist you in finding your service day or week. Once you’ve determined which week (Red or Blue) and which day of the week you’ll be collecting, click to Collection Week Calendar to view or print the schedule. What if my cart is either too little or too large? Carts for recycling are available in three different sizes: 35 gallon, 65 gallon, and 95 gallon. If your existing cart is not meeting your needs, you may request a modification; contact for measurements or other information.
I’ve only recently moved in and have a ton of cardboard!
Please contact ahead to arrange for a pick-up or if you require any other information.
Cardboard and mixed paper include flattened boxes no larger than 3′ x 4′, magazines, junk mail, catalogs, telephone books, office paper, cards, stationary, paper grocery bags, school papers, computer paper, Plastics: Bottles and jugs: Water and beverage bottles, shampoo, soap, and detergent bottles are all examples of containers.
- Cans made of metal include steel and aluminum food and beverage containers.
- Glass Bottles and Jars: We have a wide variety of glass bottles and jars in a variety of colors.
- Please place all products in the cart together – they do not need to be divided – and do not place any items in plastic bags unless they are absolutely necessary.
- on the day of your collection, as is customary.
- It is up to our contractor, TFC Recycling, to choose the best course of action.
- You may also phone our office at 757-259-9850 to get the latest information.
- Materials should be placed in a cardboard box or paper bag on top of your cart for collection.
- Alternatives to recycling include bringing recyclables to a convenience store near your home or place of business.
Please keep in mind that there will be three distinct containers: one for mixed paper, one for corrugated cardboard, and one for your glass, plastic, and cans. Please keep in mind that there will be three separate containers.
- Residents of James City County and Williamsburg
- Residents of York County and Poquoson (scroll down for drop-off information)
- Residents of York County and Poquoson
HOLIDAY CALENDAR FOR 2021-2022 There will only be three holidays that will have an impact on collecting (see schedule below). Holiday collection will be shifted one day ahead rather than having a separate makeup day. For the remainder of the week, collection will be moved one day ahead each day until the whole week’s collection has been accomplished. Please keep in mind that you must have your materials ready by 7 a.m. Questions? Please contact us at 757-259-9850 if you have any questions.
| Holiday | Week | Pickup Schedule |
| Labor DayMonday, Sept. 6 | Red | One day delay beginning with Monday-Monday’s recycling will be picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday’s on Wednesday, etc. |
| Thanksgiving DayThursday, Nov. 25 | Blue | One day delay beginning with Thursday-Thursday’s recycling will be picked up on Friday, and Friday’s will be picked up on Saturday |
| Memorial DayMonday, May 30 | Red | One day delay beginning with Monday-Monday’s recycling will be picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday’s on Wednesday, etc. |
Calendars for Curbside Collections If you know what day it is and what week it is (Red or Blue), then select the appropriate calendar from the list on the right. If you are unsure, please contact us at 757-259-9850 and we will check it up for you. In the interim, you may print thisGeneric Collection Calendar and mark the days and weeks that follow your phone contact with us on it.
| Red Weeks | Blue Weeks |
| Monday | Monday |
| Tuesday | Tuesday |
| Wednesday | Wednesday |
| Thursday | Thursday |
| Friday | Friday |
Do It Yourself Black & White
Fixer should never be dumped. It can be recycled either at a place that processes film or certain recycling companies will take it as well (the silver from the film can be recovered. Otherwise it’s a heavy metal and can poison waterways and drinking water). However, the stop bath cancels out the developer. If you are worried about dumping chemicals, consider using Caffenol, which is a combination of natural things, often found in the grocery store isles. The only drawback is that the mixture smells a bit like grim death, but it works, and is much safer than dumping chemicals.Here’s a good website with lots of information and different Caffenol recipes:Originally posted 92 months ago.(permalink)Hachi Gatsu edited this topic 92 months ago.
Hannu_E_Ksays:
caffenol.blogspot.comandwww.flickr.com/groups/caffinol_private_palace/ – two more places where to look for Caffenol related discussions and facts.Any developer including Caffenol in addition to the the fixation liquid does contain chemistry that may harm if not disposed of in a responsible manner.Caffenol has just a few ingredients, one of which is ‘Sodium Carbonate’, a fairly bio-degradable component in the sense that is easy to neutralize.
I’m not sure you should put it in a septi tank though, Fixer is basically ‘Ammonium thiosulfate’.When you develop and fix a film you’re using these to affect Silver halides (Chlorine, Bromine.) in the film, part of these end up in the solutions – which makes them contain e.g.
Silver is not something you wish to have in your environment – already small amounts has severe effects – and I would guess it may have severe effects on a septi tank.Originally posted 92 months ago.(permalink)Hannu_E_K edited this topic 92 months ago.
Joe Iannandreasays:
Why it is that we film photographers insist on being our own worst enemies when it comes to perpetuating misconceptions about how hazardous the chemicals we use are? When the practice of film photography has come under fire in many quarters based on exaggerations of its effects on the environment, the last thing we need is to be feeding into this ourselves. Further, recommendations based on misconstrued ideas of the seriousness of these concerns or indeed what they actually are are detrimental not only to the practice of film photography as a whole but the practice of individual photographers and indeed the environment itself.In years back when my family had a photo business that included a 1 hour C-41 photo lab I was in several meetings with representatives of environmentalagencies and their message was that, with one exception, they had no more concern with spent photo chemistry going straight into municipal sewage systems than they were janitors doing the same with their dirty mop water.
- The bottom line is that if you use standard commercial photo chemicals it would make more sense to look at how to minimise the impact of the way you do laundry or clean the oven than worry about your darkroom practice.That one exception I mentioned was silver.
- Contrary to what was stated earliersilver is not considered a toxic heavy metaland you won’t be poisoning any streams with it.
- This only makes sense because this is exactly what the purpose of fixer is.
- (For colour film all of the silver comes out is solution, with traditional b w film only the silver that doesn’t end up forming the image gets dissolved.) There’s no particular concern with fresh fixer or used fixer once it has been de-silvered.
The real concern with silver, at least back in the day when all photography meant using film, is that it is an anti-microbial and the large quantities a commercial photo processor put into the system could cause issues with the microbe-dependent processes involved with municipal sewage treatment.
- It may be safe, but you should clear this with someone that knows septic tanks, not photography.)Still, if you’re going to do something to diminish the environmental impact of your waste photo-chemistry the used fixer is the place to start.
- I simply keep spent fixer in a container with a crumpled wad of aluminium foil tossed in.
- Dump it down the drain or put it in your gardens.As for the rest of your chemistry, let’s talk some sense.
- Many equate strong smells with environmental toxicity and for this reason assume fixer and stop bath must be horrible stuff.
- The sulfur also reacts with the remaining silver in treated fixer, rendering it inert.
- Vinegar is the darling ingredient of environmentally friendly household cleaner advocates.
- In my view much of this comes down to the fact that the word “chemical” is so often used explicitly in reference to the substances used in the traditional photographic process.
- It’s easy to forget that everything is chemicals.
In that light, let me ask something a different way – Would you chose a developer that contained hydroquinone, catechol, 4-methylcatechol, ethylbenzene, isoprene, benzene, formaldehyde and fourteen other known carcinogens when there are commercially available developers that don’t contain any?
The first two on the list are actually found in various commercial developers, though formulas such as Xtol don’t contain any known carcinogens.
Finally, the instant coffee recommended in most Caffenol formulas also has a much higher concentration of the carcinogen acrylamide than the brewed coffee that someone might actually, you know, drink.I don’t mean to suggest that Caffenol is worse for the environment than common commercial developers.
What I do mean to suggest is that, especially in the absence of any hard data regarding the environmental effects of various developers, we have no basis on which to presume it’s any better.Originally posted 92 months ago.(permalink)Joe Iannandrea edited this topic 92 months ago.
Hannu_E_Ksays:
I wrote a lengthy, reply on this – but somehow it went into the binary waste bucket as I tried to send it to yahoo for inclusion on flickr.The essentials: We do not know the true andfull effectsof the way we use chemicals, nor does the “experts” – we’re all humans, learning as we go.Chemistry example:Sodium Carbonate, an essential part of Caffenol is used as ingredient in many washing liquids (water hardness), for cleaning surfaces in preparation for painting, as “Ph+” for swimming pools, and as ingredient in tooth paste, it is also known as the food additive ‘E500’ – the toxicity is as always dependent on how much you use.Silver: this has been getting focus in Swedish national press for some time; one of the sources for this e.g.translate.google.se/translate?sl=auto tl=en js=y.
Naturskyddsföreningen, naturskyddsforeningen.se, =SNCC; Swedish Society for Nature ConservationWhat was basic facts a few years back has changed, and will continue to change,.the only knowledge we can be sure about is the fact that we do not know all the facts .And the only conclusion I can come to from all of it is:we have better be safe than sorry .Originally posted 92 months ago.(permalink)Hannu_E_K edited this topic 92 months ago.
Joe Iannandreasays:
Why, I implore, do so many of my fellow film users feel so compelled to single out their very own photo chemistry for pariah status using language and logic that, if used by someone advocating the banning of film photography, would be cause to rightly accuse them of unjustifiably distorting the truth.If it makes makes sense to err on the side of caution with respect to photo chemistry it makes sense to do so with respect to everything else we do.
Time and again though I hear photographers who don’t give a second thought to the detergents, solvents, antiseptics, pharmaceuticals, batteries, cosmetics and electronics they use every day figuratively falling over themselves to expound on the evils of something they are often passionate about, asserting things that range from suspect to outright false, based on no objective information whatever.The fact that it is never possible to know all the facts is no excuse for not being as informed as we can be.
No-one who is informed about the environmental risks of popular commercial photo chemicals (some specialty chemicals do merit special concern) would speak of them in the ominous terms I inevitably hear whenever someone asks for an opinion about their disposal.
It’s not enough to say we’re taking a better safe than sorry approach – you can never be safe in the face on ignorance.
A case in point was a respondent in a different forum answering similar question with a recommendation to dilute spent photo chemistry 100:1 before putting it down the drain.
What it does do is needlessly waste between 50 to 90 litres of water (depending on how you use your chemistry) every time you get rid of the chemistry used to develop a roll of 35mm film, a travesty when it comes to water conservation concerns.
This advice was offered with the best of intentions of course, but you know, the road to hell and all.92 months ago(permalink)
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