By Maryruth Belsey-Priebe
Fact checked by Sander Tamm
Last updated: Jan 14, 2025
Overview of recycling old photos
A favorite pastime of many nature lovers, proud moms, and world hoppers, photography is a great way to capture those special moments in life. Choose eco-friendly ways to take your pictures is one thing, but using greener photographic supplies and recycling pictures is another challenge few amateur and professional photographers have ever thought about. But no more!
Recycling old pictures
What are the chemicals of concern in old pictures?
There are many chemicals used to make photo paper and put an image onto it, many of which can be toxic to the environment. These are the basics about photographic chemicals you should know:
- Heavy metals: Things like mercury and selenium, which are toxic to birds, fish, and other wildlife, are found in photographic fixers, toners, stabilizers, photo paper, and film.
- Silver content: Silver (a blend of silver chloride and silver bromide salts) is found in both film and photo paper, which makes the act of putting photographs in the trash environmentally hazardous. As such, they should be treated like hazardous waste (unless you know for sure they were processed without silver).
How to avoid and recycle photo paper waste
When looking for a paper on which to print your photographs, whether you work at a photography studio or are printing your images at home, look for photo paper with these eco-friendly qualities:
- Print only what you need: When working with a professional photographer or taking your digital images and printing them at home or a photo shop, be sure to print only those that you require. Store the rest digitally and safely to avoid any unnecessary waste.
- Alternative materials: Choose photo paper made from 100% cotton, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood fiber, and bamboo fiber are all good choices.
- Non-resin coated: Because photo paper is often finished with a resin coating (RC) which is usually a type of plastic made from petrochemical ingredients, it’s best to avoid these when possible. Metallic coatings as well as C-Prints, Duratrans, and other plastic materials are all things that make photo paper difficult, if not impossible to recycle. Look for selections without these coatings and finishes.
- Chlorine-free: As with any other type of paper, look for processed chlorine-free (PCF) options to avoid the use of chlorine, a biocide that’s harmful to the environment and human health.
Because of the silver content in many photo papers, they are considered hazardous waste and should be handled accordingly. While you should not simply throw them in the garbage, it is unlikely they can be processed by your local paper recycling system. They should therefore be sent to companies that accept silver from photographers as they will often accept negative and print scraps. You may also find that recyclers of dental waste (which includes silver) will also take photo paper. Search for “silver recycling” or “dental waste recycling” to see if there are any photo paper recyclers in your local area.