I need suggestions-negatives

[RobinWren]

I have a box of negatives that I need to dispose of. The internet does not throw up a lot of suggestions. I do not want to burn them and there are too many to cut up. I did try the shredder but they would not go through? why is that? Anything might be helpful.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Excerpt from article:

"Both types of modern film base (acetate and polyester) can be recovered, though the facilities for doing so may not exist in all locations. The economics of the recovery process, as well as the potential environmental impact, may make the transport of waste film over long distances impractical. If local recovery is not possible, de-silvered film should be disposed of by incineration with energy recovery. If suitable incineration facilities are unavailable, the waste may be disposed of to landfill without risk of adverse environmental effects. Waste photographic paper is not generally recoverable. Most papers are coated with a very thin layer of polythene to control water absorption and speed drying, and should not therefore be mixed with other waste paper destined for conventional paper recovery. Waste photographic paper should be disposed of by incineration with energy recovery. If suitable incineration facilities are unavailable; the waste may be disposed of to landfill without risk of adverse environmental effects."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jan/04/recycle-photographs-negatives

 

[RobinWren]

Thank you for this article. Being an anal recycler I have spent some time trying to find ways to recycle them, articles prove few and far between which I find surprising . I appreciate your time.

 

[Lawrence]

I worked and retired from Kodak, there the paper scraps. film scraps, negative scraps would be packed into large pallet size boxes and sent to be incinerated in high temperature burners. At a special facility they recovered silver nitrate, and the recovery percentage was about ninety nine percent. The silver nitrate was reused in the production of more negatives, pictures and photographic films. So, if it were me, I would look around and see if I could find a photography business that still uses the silver nitrate photographic prosses. See if they recycle photographic papers and chemicals and if they would be willing to add your negatives to the scrap, they send in. I am not sure if they would do it for free or if there would be a cost to pay for it is an expensive process to recycle the silver nitrate.

 

[RobinWren]

That is an excellent idea Lawrence, thank for the tip.