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Old 18th March 2009, 09:07 AM
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Default Disposal of Darkroom Chemicals

The recent discussion about the importance of using fresh chemistry raises an important related issue: what is the best (i.e. safest whilst still practical) means of disposing of used chemistry?

Until the recent availability of recycling centres I used to simply flush mine down the toilet with lots of water. I wrote to Paterson once asking about the wisdom of this and they confirmed that it should not cause a problem. For the past 5 or 6 years, however, I have bottled up my used chemistry in empty laundry liquid containers, labelled it carefully and periodically taken it to the local recycling centre where a very nice man takes it from me and locks it in a yellow bin for disposal I know not how.

This is not too much of an inconvenience though, on the basis of the recent discussion and the fact that I wouldn't give up my slot thingy for a gold watch, I probably keep my chemicals too long, even if I don't overwork them. If I'm going to use fresh chemistry more often, I'm obviously going to produce more waste, and there's only so much laundry to be done! Has anyone an informed view of how best to dispose of it?

Incidentally, I believe that the addition of used fixer to cut flower water prolongs their life. Don't let your dog / cat / children drink from the vase, however!!!
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Old 18th March 2009, 09:32 AM
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I read somewhere (probably on APUG) that in the USA some photographers have the habbit of using their spent selenium toner (well diluted down) on their veg patches which produces exellent results. It is supposed to be especially good on tomatoes, but I don't fancy doing this myself!

Neil.
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Old 18th March 2009, 10:35 AM
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I also took Paterson’s advice to mix all spent chemicals together in order to neutralise them, and then flush them down the drain.



I also corresponded with an Australian gentleman (Uncle Bill?) around the same time who told me that his favoured method was to tip them over his garden fence, at the dead of night, into his neighbour’s swimming pool, where he believed it helped to keep the water clear. Unfortunately my neighbour doesn’t have a swimming pool, so I shall continue tipping my musicale volumes of blended waste down the drain.
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Old 18th March 2009, 10:49 AM
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Since none of the chemicals I use stipulate regulations for disposal, they go down the drain just like any other household chemicals do.
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Old 18th March 2009, 11:02 AM
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Developers, fixers and stop baths go down the drain with plenty of water.

I never throw Se toner (rarely used) away I just keep topping it up with fresh toner.
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Old 19th March 2009, 07:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave View Post
I also took Paterson’s advice to mix all spent chemicals together in order to neutralise them, and then flush them down the drain.



I also corresponded with an Australian gentleman (Uncle Bill?) around the same time who told me that his favoured method was to tip them over his garden fence, at the dead of night, into his neighbour’s swimming pool, where he believed it helped to keep the water clear. Unfortunately my neighbour doesn’t have a swimming pool, so I shall continue tipping my musicale volumes of blended waste down the drain.
Whilst you are correct in your assertion Dave that mixing them all together neutralises the "mix" - indeed it is the methosd I use - it does nothing to remove the residual silver content. I read somewhere that someone contacted their local water authority and to be honest they were not too concerned given the amounts that were being disposed of in this manner by home printing enthusiasts. I think old veg oil and cooking oil causes them more problems.

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Old 18th March 2009, 02:05 PM
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chemicals, well mixed together, go down the toilet at the end of every film develping/printing session and haqve down for as long as i can remember with no ill effects so far Richard
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Old 18th March 2009, 03:03 PM
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Bit of Pyro in the drains helps to keep the rats at bay
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Old 18th March 2009, 04:00 PM
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The LEGAL situation is that commercial enterprises have to employ professional waste disposal experts. Domestic usage can go down the sink/loo with plenty of water.
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Old 18th March 2009, 05:19 PM
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In the UK, does it matter if the chemicals go down the toilet or the bath?
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