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Frequently Asked Questions

Recycling

1. Does Kodak use recycled content materials?
   At present, Kodak has two recycling programs aimed at the recycling and reuse of post-consumer materials. Kodak's acclaimed One-Time-Use Camera (OTUC) recycling program is a closed-loop recycling program that utilizes almost all of the parts of the camera after consumer usage to make new OTUC. For additional information, please visit the One-Time-Use Camera Recycling Section.

   Kodak also runs a film container recycling program that utilizes every component that is recovered from all manufacturers' 35 mm film—the magazine, the spool, the film canister. The plastic from the spools is made into new products like sheet lifters for loose leaf notebooks. Steel from film cartridges is sent to steel mills to be made into wire and, after initial preparation, the film cans and lids are ground up and re-extruded to be used in the manufacture of new film container bottoms.

   In addition, all Kodak film and camera products are packaged in cardboard made from recycled materials with 35-95% post-consumer content. Rigid plastic packaging containers between 8 ounces and 5 gallons also contain 25% post-consumer material.

   For further information, see our publication CIS-180, KODAK Film Container Recycling Program. if you process more than 250 rolls per day, and CIS-182, KODAK Film Container Recycling Program if you process less than 250 rolls per day. Also, you may contact Kodak Environmental Services to obtain a copy of the OTUC sell sheet, A7-340, Recycling Program for OTUC, as well as our publication J-503, Composition Information for Recyclers of KODAK Products.
   
   

2. What can I do with old film?
   The majority of 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 does not preempt state or local laws and programs. Contact your state and local governments to determine if any additional disposal requirements apply.

   In a few cases, Kodak specialty films used in aerial photography, industrial X-ray and microscopy, and nitrate-based films may have additional disposal requirements. Please contact Kodak Environmental Services for additional information on the disposal of these films.

   Recycling Options

   Even though you can dispose of most Kodak films safely in a municipal or industrial landfill, your business may want to consider a more environmentally sound option. See our publication KES-60 for a listing of scrap film buyers, KES-59 for a listing of Silver Refiners, or contact Kodak Environmental Services for more information.

   Note: This list has been compiled from various sources. Inclusion on this list does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by Eastman Kodak Company.

   TCLP

   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) of hazardous materials. In addition, these photographic films and papers do not exhibit the other hazardous waste characteristics of ignitability, corrosiveness, or reactivity as outlined in 40 CFR Part 261.
   
   

3. How do I dispose of the waste film I generate?
   Photographic film waste may be generated from developed negatives, from test strips or leader film, or from process or inventory problems. Polyester film, typically used for medical and industrial x-ray and aerial films, silver-halide graphic-arts film, and long roll professional imaging products may be returned to Kodak for film-base recovery and silver recovery. The lower limit for such a return is 40,000 pounds. Both polyester and cellulose triacetate films are used in the motion picture industry currently. FPC Inc., a Kodak company, is equipped to handle waste motion picture films. For their services, you may call FPC at 1-323-468-5774 . Thermal Imaging films such as recording films, duplicating films and thermal ribbons are not yet a part of any recycling program. However, they may be incinerated for energy recovery.
   
   
4. What do I do with my recovered silver?
   Regardless of the technique your photographic processing facility uses to remove silver from photographic processing solutions, you need to send the silver-bearing materials to a refiner to complete the recovery process.

   List of Silver Refiners

   A Silver Refiners List is available for download.

   Note: This list has been compiled from various sources. Inclusion on this list does not imply an endorsement or recommendation by Eastman Kodak Company.
   
   

5. Is there a program for recycling the lead foil for the dental packets?
   Kodak has an easy and economical recycling program, the KODAK Dental Film Lead Recycling Program, to facilitate the pick-up and recycling of lead foil which, if discarded, would be a hazardous waste. The number for the details for this program is 1-800-933-8031. If you participate in the program, you will be provided with a recycling container which, when full, will be picked up by United Parcel Service (UPS) and forwarded to our third-party recycler. In return, you will receive a letter from the contracted lead recycler who will confirm proper treatment of the exact amount of lead received.
   
   
6. How can I dispose of my waste batteries?
   Alkaline Batteries

   A regional or national battery recycling program is not yet available for alkaline batteries. A few companies may accept alkaline batteries for recovery and disposal, and a call to the Dry Battery Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (1-703-413-3200) will get you a list of these companies. Kodak's alkaline batteries have been manufactured free of mercury since 1992, and so they are not hazardous wastes when discarded. Therefore, they may be disposed of through your municipal waste disposal program.

   Lithium and Nickel Hydride Batteries

   Lithium and nickel metal hydride batteries are generally not regulated by federal or state law. The exception is the state of California, which requires commercial and business operations to handle nickel metal hydride batteries being disposed of as hazardous waste, if not being recycled. Under all other circumstances, these batteries may be accepted in local municipal waste programs, or recycling programs, if they exist.

   Nickel Cadmium and Silver Oxide Batteries

   Nickel cadmium and silver oxide batteries are regulated by the USEPA as hazardous wastes when disposed of. They may be removed off site to a hazardous waste facility through contract with a battery recycler. Nickel cadmium batteries may be recycled through the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), an organization of which Kodak is a member. The designated RBRC battery collection point nearest you may be reached by calling 1-800-8-Battery .

   See our publication J-411, Dealing with Hazardous Waste and Processing Effluents at Photographic Processing Facilities and publication J-412, Waste Prevention and Recycling for Photographic Processing Facilities for more information. You may also phone the Kodak Information Center at 1-800-242-2424 or visit www.kodak.com/go/batteries for more information.
   
   

7. What can I do with all of the non-chemical waste I generate at my facility?
   Consider minimizing the amount of waste your business generates. You may do this by first assessing your waste streams using the Facility Solid Waste Assessment Tool described in our publication J-410, An Introduction to Waste Management Options for Photographic Processing Facilities. In addition, our publication J-412, Waste Prevention and Recycling for Photoprocessing Facilities, addresses the non-hazardous wastes your facility may generate and walks through the options to minimize, reuse, recycle, or dispose of the waste.

   Conserving resources and reducing wastes can have a beneficial impact on your operating costs as well as the environment. Much of the film, steel, plastic and paper waste generated can be recovered, processed, and remade into new products. Kodak has established several recycling and take-back programs for Kodak products which may not be included in your local community recycling programs. These programs are outlined in our publication J-412.