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Putting B/W Chemistry down the toilet

The bleach-fix used for color processing is very corrosive, it will even damage stainless steel. The B&W fixer is known to corrode copper pipes if not diluted with water. I believe this is true because I have copper pipes that corroded (after many years) by whatever residual chemicals are present in the tap water - considered to be safe levels.
 
there is a company called itronics
they recycle spent photochemistry and turn it into fertilizers.
they are located in nevada ...
they might have a local person where you are situated to recycle/reclaim
your photochemistry.
 
By the way, Daniel.

This is what I do with my fixer, selenium, and whatever else I am unsure about: http://www.lacity.org/san/solid_resources/special/hhw/safe_centers/index.htm.

I go to the Los Feliz location, near the L.A. Zoo:

4600 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Hours of Operation:
Saturdays and Sundays
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

If you are in Pasadena, take 210 west to 134 west to 5 south. Exit Colorado St., which is the first exit after getting onto 5, I believe. The ramp is a very long multi-lane ramp, and you want to get/stay in the right lane. There is another exit from the Colorado ramp, called Edenhurst. Take this exit. (Do not miss this exit, or it is a bit of a pain to turn around and get back to where you need to be.) Make a left onto the street at the end of the ramp (Colorado). Continue down the street a short distance and make a right into the driveway.

It is free, quick, and easy. All it costs is time. Take anything there. Batteries, paint, rags, etc. Just make sure it is all labeled correctly so they know what to do with it.

From the page:

"We accept: paint and solvents; used motor oil and filters, anti-freeze, and other automotive fluids; cleaning products; pool and garden chemicals; aerosol cans; all medicine; auto batteries; household batteries.

"E-waste: computers, monitors, printers, network equipment, cables, telephones, televisions, microwaves, video games, cell phones, radios, stereos, VCRs, and electronic toys.

"We do not accept: business waste, ammunition, explosives, radioactive material, biological waste or tires. Bulky Items: furniture, refrigerators, washing machines/dryers, conventional ovens, paper, computer software.

"Transportation limit for chemical related items: It is against the law to transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste to collection sites. Please pack your waste properly to prevent tipping or spilling of the waste during transportation."
 
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One comment, for folks anywhere, when it doubt, call your city, ask for the department that looks after household waste, they will tell you where you can take hazardous waste, and other household wastes. Often they can assist you, either they can tell you where to drop off stuff or can arrange a pickup, and that includes hazardous wastes.

The limit that you put there, applies only to California, other states, provinces or countries have their own limits, which may be more or less.
 
ok everyone,

I've finally gotten the ok to start developing film at home, so here we go!!!! Actually was given permission 2 weeks ago, but couldn't get started until about 1 1/2 weeks ago actually due to a logistical problem of having no fixer . So, I've done approx 6 rolls of 35mm and 3 rolls of 120, and tonight, 3 sheets of 4x5.

thanks everyone for your help!!!

I'm currently really short on cash(even after christmas), so I'm using HC-110(gifted by BradS), and Clayton RF-19 fixer. Water stop bath, and a 5-10 minute wash. so NO hypo clear, just extended the wash times, and give a final 2 minute soaking in distilled H20 before hanging up the rolls/sheets.

here's a few photos of my working conditions for now, so you know how small it is in there!



my "drying rack" with the heater blowing nice warm air over the negs, put back in the hangers after dripping for 10min or so.









where my negs hang after the 2 min soak in distilled H20. the negs hang for about 5-10 mins, depending on temperature. I soak up the beads that collect on the bottom corner.


thanks for all the help everyone, it has been much appreciated!

-Dan
 
Daniel, I had even smaller labs when I was young I put planks on the bath tub as a 'table' for the enlarger and trays and sat on the toilet lid - your parents will hate me for that hint...

But your "drying rack" might ruin your negs. You blow unfiltered warm air, containing dust and particles, and they will be IN the emulsion after drying, causing a lot of trouble, e.g. white spots on prints. Just let the negatives dry over night, behind the shower curtain, and close the door to reduce circulation of air. It takes a while, but large format photographers must not be impatient anyhow.

If money is tight and you don't have a stop bath yet just get some citric acid, it should be in every kitchen. Wikipedia says: "Citric acid is the active ingredient in some bathroom and kitchen cleaning solutions. A solution with a 6% concentration of citric acid will remove hard water stains from glass without scrubbing. In industry it is used to dissolve rust from steel." Well, and it makes a great odorless stop bath...

Regarding chemistry disposal, some hints that I read in this forum are amazing - using fixer as a weedkiller sounds like a hint from the 1960s. I would rather take fixer to the local hazardous waste site and remove the weeds manually.
 
well bruce and cmo,

thankfully, there isn't any dirt or grime on the negs. but next time, I'll just let em drip dry!

-Dan
 
DanielStone said:
i know this is a weird question, but it is to satisfy my parents who think that by putting b/w chemistry down the toilet will ruin it.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised no one has answered you original question -

Yes, putting b/w chemistry down the toilet will ruin the b/w chemistry.

You should always listen to your parents...

;^)
 
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well, I'm not putting it down the drain anyhow . I'm putting it down the bathtub's drain, with lots of HOT water to flush out any residual chems, meanwhile washing my stainless reels and tanks after processings. same with 4x5 hangers(in the photos). scrub,scrub,scrub after usage keeps em happy .

-Dan
 
Please forgive me if I'm digressing.....

Most of us have chemicals that are pretty toxic that can be found in our homes. Chemicals such as oven cleaners, cleaners such as nail polish removers, steel wool, varnish removers; chemicals in the garage, like antifreeze, lubricants, cleaners, pest removal chemicals like hornets and others. How about paint?

Photography chemicals are pretty mild in comparison.

At any rate, I would contact your PCA (pollution control agency) to see what is allowed and what isn't. Find out how many gallons are processed each day and I think you'll be amazed at the number, the larger the population served the greater the number.

Have a wonderful 2010!
 
Bob-D659 said:
Don't waste the hot water, use COLD.
Click to expand...

thanks Bob, I'll do that from now on for the 'flushing' step. for cleaning up though, I'll still use hot, just not as much as before.

blessings, and happy 2010!

-Dan
 
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