Classifications and Recommendations

The purpose of this Code is to advise how the different types of photo-processing businesses should dispose of their trade effluent to enable them to comply with their legal obligations and to protect the environment.

It is important to classify photo-processing operations into different categories since they will possess different environmental risks.

The following is a list of the types of photographic laboratories using processing chemicals.  These include trade premises that produce “trade effluent” as described in the Water Industry Act 1991 and non-trade premises.

Having established your classification, you may then click the 'Recommendations' link.

Effluent from non-trade premises is not covered by this Act. It is recommended that these laboratories will still comply with this Code.

Type of Operation/Company

Photographic "Trade" premises

• Photofinisher Develop and Print
• Professional Laboratories
• Laboratories specialising in Schools/Portrait Photography
• Microfilm laboratories
• Graphic Arts and Pre-Press Operators
• Printers
• Miniprint (Estate Agent photos) Laboratories
• E6 Processing Houses
• High Street Minilab Shops
• In-Store Minilabs
• Company In-house Photographic Units
• Professional Photographer: processing any quantity of films and papers

Non "Trade" premises

• Hospital Medical Photo Units
• Hospital X-ray Units
• Dental Surgeries
• Veterinary Practices
• Other Medical Premises
• Police Forces Photo Units
• MOD/Military Establishments
• Colleges/Schools
• Passport Booths: not usually connected to drainage and have all effluent removed for treatment.
• Amateur/Home Processing: outside the scope of the regulations. Check with your local water services company to see if small quantities can be poured down the foul drain in your local area.

Laboratory Classification

• The photographic laboratories have been divided into various categories based on their annual volume of trade effluent produced.

Minilabs

Summary

• A photographic laboratory offering, or capable of offering, a one hour develop and print service using only "waterless wash” (also called “washless”) Minilab equipment, i.e. the machine is not plumbed in to the water supply.
• The laboratory may operate as a stand-alone retail unit, or be within a larger operation, or in trade premises.
• Effluent volumes typically less than 12.5 cubic metres (12,500 litres) per annum.
• The PIC recommended method for handling the photo effluent is to use a recognised haulaway contractor to remove it.
• The local Water Services Company will make charges based on a domestic tariff.
  

General Photographic Laboratories

Summary

• Any trade or premises where the primary business is the developing and printing of photographic film and paper; utilising photographic chemicals.
• It can be for amateur, professional or in-house photographers.
• Effluent volumes typically between 12.5 and 10,000 cubic metres (12,500 to 10 million litres) per annum, including wash-water (roughly equates to the annual water consumption).
• Recommended method for handling the photo effluent is to use a recognised haulaway contractor to remove it. 
• The efficient use of in-house silver-recovery technology may be an option.
• It is proposed that such premises be on a fixed-charge trade effluent tariff. Typical values would be in the area of COD of 350 ppm and a suspended solids content of 35 ppm for photo-processing effluent.

Photofinishing Laboratories

Summary

• Effluent volumes greater than 10,000 cubic metres (10 million litres) per annum, including wash-water.
• Recommended that efficient in-house silver-recovery technology and/or haulaway be used, as appropriate. 
• Charges for such operations will not be fixed but will be calculated by the local Water Services Company using a “Mogden”-type formula.

X-Ray Film Processing Facilities, Graphics Film Processing Facilities and Microfilm Processing Facilities

On trade premises, it will be necessary for operators to apply for, and comply with, a ‘Consent to Discharge’.

Other Small Users of Photographic Chemicals

Notes to the Code

Water consumption is as measured by the premises' incoming water meter or sub-meter to the process. If water recycling is used, the original volume used prior to recycling should be utilised to establish into which category the laboratory falls.

Exclusions from the Code

This code of practice is not intended to apply to businesses engaged in the use of reprographic photolitho, fast print shops, or printing.

It is not applicable where photographic and other imaging products are manufactured.

Any company whose business also uses non-photographic processes should apply the Code of Practice only to their photo-processing effluent.