chemical waste

[mcarter4121]

What is the proper way to dispose of film processing chemicals after developing movies?
That is, how are they neutralized? Other than mixing them all together and dumping them in the toilet.

[rollemfilm]

as far as black and white toxins, the fixer is main one. i use to use a silver recovery service until i found out about my local recycle center. they will take fixer if it is marked as such. many of the new developers such as T-MaX are not "rated" as toxic. stop bath is no worse than apple cider. all this is of course information i have learned through time and may no be accurate, but, it is, as far as i know, accurate. start with the fixer and deal with that first. maybe a local lab will take it for you.

[mcarter4121]

Thanks Rollem,
Anybody know about Developer? I used to use D-76 and also the high contrast type that used A & B chemicals mixed together just prior to developing.

[Actor]

I e-mailed Kodak about this and here is their reply:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#333333" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FF9900"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#DDDDDD"><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Thank you for your inquiry. The type of system you have and the types of materials you need to dispose of will determine how you dispose of your
waste. There are two types of waste disposal systems - sewer and septic.

SEWER SYSTEM / UNUSED CHEMISTRY
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide detailed information about each product, including disposal issues. In Section 13 of the MSDS are
DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS for the unused chemistry. MSDS are available on-line at www.kodak.com/go/msds.

SEWER SYSTEM/USED CHEMISTRY (EFFLUENT)
Most photographic processing effluents and washwaters contain chemicals that are biodegradable. They are, therefore, compatible with aerobic (with oxygen) biological treatment systems and are effectively treated when discharged to municipal sewer systems such as Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs).

Kodak strongly recommends that you never pour silver-bearing effluents such as used fixers, bleach-fix, or stabilizers down the drain. Rather,
you should use on-site or off-site silver-recovery methods for these solutions.

SEPTIC SYSTEM/ USED or UNUSED CHEMISTRY
Kodak does not recommend the use of septic systems for disposal of photographic processing solutions because the disposal of photographic processing solutions may affect the proper operations of the septic system. Septic systems are used for the disposal of domestic waste, primarily in areas where municipal sewers are unavailable. If you are
discharging to a septic system, Kodak recommends you manage your photographic processing effluents off-site.

Our J-300 publication, Environmental Guidelines for Amateur Photographers, which is available for downloading on our Kodak Environmental Services website, will provide you with more information
on on-site and off-site silver management. This publication and many more are located at www.kodak.com/go/kes.

In regards to disposal of films and papers; representative Kodak photographic films and papers, both processed and unprocessed, were
tested using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). These representative samples did not exhibit the Toxicity Characteristic(TC). In addition, these photographic films and papers do not exhibit the other hazardous waste characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity,
or reactivity.

In a few cases, Kodak specialty films used in aerial photography, industrial X-ray, microscopy and nitrate based films may have additional
disposal requirements. Please provide us with specific product information if you are in need of additional information on the disposal of these films.

As a result, most Kodak films and papers are not considered hazardous wastes based on Federal regulations and can be disposed of safely in a
municipal or industrial landfill. This onclusion, however, does not pre-empt state or local laws and programs. Contact your state and local governments to determine if any additional disposal requirements apply.

Even though most Kodak films and papers can be disposed of safely in a municipal or industrial landfill, your business may want to consider a
more environmentally sound option. Kodak Environmental Services has attached a directory of Scrap Film Buyers for your recycling option.

If you are in need of further assistance, or if you have any additional questions, please contact our Environmental Services Line at (585) 477-3194. Also, please visit our Kodak Environmental Services website located at www.kodak.com/go/kes or email us directly at [email protected] .
</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Nigel]

The bleach is where the problem is. You need to look into some people who can get rid of it for you. It is some nasty stuff.

Good Luck

[Matt Pacini]

Yeah, just be really careful who you ask.

My freind worked with a guy who bought a house from someone who did their own processing in the garage. When they moved, they left a couple 50 gallon barrels of leftover chemicals in the back yard.
Well, the new owner, being a good liberal and environmentalist, called up the EPA or someone, to ask them what the proper way to dispose of this stuff would be.
They sent someone out, took a look at it, and labeled this guy a gross polluter, and fined him something like $80,000 etc.
He ended up losing his brand new house, and there was nothing he could do about it.
They didn't care that he wasn't the one who created the problem to begin with, they just knew that he had all this crap improperly stored.
And they wonder why people drive out some dirt road in the middle of the night and dump stuff...

So you may want to call from a phone booth, ask "for a friend" and don't mention your name.

Matt Pacini

[mcarter4121]

Bleach is nothing but Sulfuric acid, just add baking soda... stand back. You know, like baking soda and vinegar? Rockets.

[Nigel]

Bleach is sulfuric acid but it is also Potassium dichromate--Which is very hazardous.