Can Photos Be Recycled or Upcycled?

 At Pixologie, we want to ensure we are passing on good recycling practices to our clients and the community. Most digital photos processed over the past decade are acceptable to throw in the recycling bin. Typically, they have been produced with a photo printer that doesn’t require the chemicals needed for developing film.

Photos that Cannot Be Recycled

Most old photographs are not recyclable. Older photographic paper was made from a variety of chemicals and metals including silver, mercury and more. These are harmful to the environment.

Tip: If you tear a photo in half and you see layers to your photo, you cannot recycle the photo.

Slides and negatives are not recyclable either. You can remove the paper frames of slides off the film and recycle that portion of the slide.

Each recycling company can have differences in what they can process. If you want to be sure, check with your recycling service to see what is acceptable related to photos.

What You Can Do With Old Photographs

Make postcards and greeting cards

Make placemats with contact paper

Give old photos to your friends and family

Shred them and use as packing material

Donate to a local art college

Search online for many more craft ideas like this one

Need routine motivation to keep on track with your memories? Click here to learn about our PixJourney Group.