If you were to evaporate used C-41 developer and blix...

[Kino]

What would reside in the powder residue left over if you evaporated used C-41 developer?

Blix?

(RA-4 and E-6 likewise)

Would this be easier to dispose of at a hazmat facility or would it even matter?

I would assume incineration at very high temperatures would be the only means of disposal for this powdery residue; correct?

 

[cmacd123]

most of what is shown in the MSDS. the developing agent would be partly oxidized of course.

what it takes to dispose of this really depends on your local regulations which also depend often on the quantities involved and if you are a residential user or a business. The technical issues are overtaken by the rules you may have to follow depending on where this is taking place and your status. in many places attempt to treat a substance that you have declared as waste is not permitted without being a licensed waste disposal firm.

 

[Kino]

I wasn't asking in an attempt to dispose of or treat it myself, although now your statement reminds me that evaporating the liquid would most likely fall under the definition of treating a hazardous waste.

Too bad environmental laws are written in such a fashion as to discourage proper treatment of small volumes of effluent and are practically impossible to comply with unless you are a huge manufacturing concern.

I have been playing "pass the hot potato" with my local county waste officials over small volume effluent disposal. No one wants to make an official judgement call or venture a possible means of dealing with a quart or two of photo chemistry. This sort of avoidance discourages people who want to properly dispose of small volumes of hazardous waste. One official acted as if I were already dumping it in the streets; a criminal for simply asking for guidance!

Infuriating.

 

[Ariston]

Kino,

Don't overthink it. I guarantee you that your neighbors dispose of toxic materials in the trash, including batteries, paint, cleaning agents, etc. Although two wrongs don't make a right, worrying when there is nothing you can do doesn't improve the situation, either. You are obviously trying your best. Don't let your government, which is supposed to serve you, oppress you.

 

[Rudeofus]

When it comes to evaporating photographic liquids, always consider, that water is not the only thing evaporating. Depending on composition of your liquid you may create fumes of Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, Quinone, Acetic Acid, ... these will likely not cause environmental harm at the amounts you state, but I wouldn't want to do this in my home either. While people near you may not be avid analog photographers, they still have left over paint cans, organic solvents for brush cleaning, motor oil, car batteries, expired medication, ... and none of the above in multiple gallon amounts. There has to be a way to dispose of this stuff in a legal and environmentally acceptable fashion near you.

 

[Kino]

There has to be a way to dispose of this stuff in a legal and environmentally acceptable fashion near you.

I understand your sentiments, but your faith in common sense environmental procedures in the rural USA is wildly misplaced. Once every 6 months, we have a household waste collection DAY. If you bring anything not specifically listed on the announcement, (photo waste is never on it) it is rejected and no solution is offered to it's proper disposal.

Basically, the attitude is, "its not my problem".

 

[MattKing]

Don't let your government, which is supposed to serve you, oppress you.

Once every 6 months, we have a household waste collection DAY. If you bring anything not specifically listed on the announcement, (photo waste is never on it) it is rejected and no solution is offered to it's proper disposal.
Basically, the attitude is, "its not my problem".

This highlights the problem. If government is seen as a source of oppression, it ends up being inept.
Is there a commercial resource available that you can pay to dispose of this for you? If there is, get the information about it, and then present it to the people who run the household waste collection system with a request that they add non-commercial darkroom waste to the list.

 

[Kino]

Matt,

It is worth a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

 

[MattKing]

Matt,

It is worth a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Who knows, you might even find that the commercial service will either:
1) take your small amounts of waste for you at a low or no charge; or
2) give you the name of others who use the same service, and who might agree to "pooling" their darkroom waste and sharing the disposal cost.

 

[Ariston]

Call some doctors' offices and ask how they dispose of their medical waste.