Photographic waste containing greater than 5 ppm of silver is considered hazardous waste and prohibited from entering the sewer system. Silver, if introduced to the water system, is toxic to fish.

The Environmental Services Facility developed the Silver Recovery Program to comply with the Metro Vancouver Sewer Use Bylaw. Silver is recovered by running the fixer through an ion exchange column.

The silver is recovered and reused by a silver refinery, and the corrosive liquid is neutralized before disposal.

For more information on the Silver Recovery Program, contact:

Bang Dang, ESF Technician
bang.dang@ubc.ca
604.822.1285