Regardless of its ability to be reclaimed or repurposed, the EPA considers spent photographic chemistry hazardous waste (developer, fixer, or any other liquid component of the photo / x-ray development process). After precious metals have been reclaimed, spent photographic chemistry is recycled as a zero-waste agricultural product.
The mismanagement of liquid waste can lead to:
- Leaks, spills, and costly clean-up
- Contamination and lost product
- Regulatory violations and fines
Handling and Storage Procedure:
- Spent photographic chemistry shall be stored in an approved container supplied or approved by the EHS Office.
- The container shall be appropriately labeled.
- Containers shall not be filled more than 2/3 full.
- Containers shall be stored with caps and air holes completely closed.
- No more than three full containers should be stored at a given time at the point of generation.
Please refer to the TMCC Hazardous Waste Management Plan for complete details on managing hazardous waste.