Diazo and vesicular films are not considered hazardous wastes.  Silver halide film may be considered hazardous waste depending on your local regulations.  From what I've read, microfilm generally doesn't generate enough silver to meet the standard as a hazardous waste, but the fluids used for processing the film do exceed the standards.  Here's California's description:
Silver compounds are classified as hazardous wastes under state and federal law if liquid wastes exceed five milligrams per liter of silver at a pH of 5.0. If process baths are discharged into the sewer, a permit by the local sanitation department is usually required. Concentrations of silver-contaminated wastewater must be maintained below local limits established by each sewering agency.

I have been unable to find any regulations in my state (Virginia) or Pennsylvania on the recycling of silver halide film.  There are standards involving chemicals or paints that contain silver and in wastewater concentrations or leachate.

We have been unable to find any recyclers of film within my region, and it has been too cost-prohibitive to go elsewhere.  We have been advised to treat film as solid waste, with questions about silver halide film that have never been adequately resolved.

Kay G. Johnson
Head of Collection and Technical Services
McConnell Library, Radford University
kjohnson497@radford.edu
540-831-5703
540-831-6214 (fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG] On Behalf Of Gibson, Kerry
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2015 11:14 AM
To: SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG
Subject: Re: [SERIALST] disposing of microfilm and microfiche

Meg,
We used the Philadelphia Recycling Company in 2011 to recycle microfilm/microfiche.  The link is:
http://www.philadelphiarecycling.co/
At the time of our project we were told that we had to recycle microforms, and couldn't just trash it So, Yes, it's possibly still considered hazardous, but I'm not 100% sure.  Maybe others know! : )

Also, please keep in mind for your project that it will cost your library or institution money to recycle the microforms.  It's not a cheap process.

Kerry Gibson

Kerry Gibson
Collection Management Librarian
Myrin Library

Phone: 610-409-3460
kgibson@ursinus.edu

Ursinus College, 601 E. Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426-1000

-----Original Message-----
From: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG] On Behalf Of Mitchell, Meg
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 6:00 PM
To: SERIALST@LISTSERV.NASIG.ORG
Subject: [SERIALST] disposing of microfilm and microfiche

Hello
How do others dispose of microfilm and microfiche?
Do you know if film/fiche newer than 1985 is considered hazardous waste?

Thanks for any information
Meg Mitchell
Logue Library
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA USA

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