EWC Code
Photographic film and paper free of silver or silver compounds
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~50–100 kt/year photographic chemical waste (declining rapidly)
Valorisation Range
Silver recovery from fixer: €300–600/t silver content; X-ray film silver: €5–15/kg film
Primary Route
Silver recovery — electrolytic or metallic replacement
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Get contacts for EWC 09 01 08EWC 09 01 08 is a specific sub-code under EWC 09 01 — Wastes from the photographic industry. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 09 01 covers wastes from photographic film, paper and chemical processing — developer solutions, fixer solutions, bleach-fix residues and silver-rich sludges. Key hazardous codes: 09 01 01* (water-based developer and activator solutions), 09 01 02* (water-based offset plate developer solutions), 09 01 03* (solvent-based developer solutions), 09 01 04* (fixer solutions), 09 01 05* (bleach solutions and bleach fix solutions).
Silver is the primary value driver — photographic fixer solutions contain silver thiosulphate complex at 1–5 g/L; bleach-fix solutions at 2–8 g/L. Silver is recovered by electrolytic silver recovery units (ESRUs) at point of generation, metallic replacement cartridges or chemical precipitation. Spent fixer after silver recovery still contains thiosulphate and must be treated as hazardous waste — thiosulphate exerts significant COD on wastewater systems.
The photographic industry has collapsed in volume with digital imaging — medical X-ray remains the largest user, transitioning to digital radiography (CR/DR systems). Industrial NDT film use persists in weld inspection and aerospace. EU photographic chemical waste volumes have fallen >90% since 2000. Silver recovery is economically compelling where film/fixer volumes warrant — minimum viable electrolytic recovery at ~4 L/day fixer throughput.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 09 01 08, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Fixer solutions processed through electrolytic silver recovery unit (ESRU) to plate silver on steel cathode. Depleted fixer re-used as starter fixer or treated as chemical waste. Metallic replacement cartridges (MRC) with iron wool reduce Ag⁺ to elemental silver — lower capital cost but less efficient. Silver bullion sold to refiner.
Processed X-ray film (silver halide-based) collected and sent to specialist recyclers — film emulsion stripped by alkaline hydrolysis or enzymatic treatment and silver recovered. PET film base recycled as plastic after emulsion removal. GDPR-compliant destruction of medical images required (shredding during processing or documented security procedure).
Silver-depleted developer and fixer solutions treated by biological effluent treatment for COD, thiosulphate and ammonia. Thiosulphate oxidised by chlorination or activated sludge. Treated effluent discharged to sewer subject to trade effluent consent limits for silver (≤0.5 mg/L), COD (≤300 mg/L).
These are the established routes for EWC 09 01 08. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Medical imaging departments are primary X-ray film and fixer waste generators
Silver refiners process X-ray film and fixer silver into bullion or silver compounds
Remaining photo labs generate developer and fixer waste — declining rapidly
NDT film users (aerospace, petrochemical inspection) generate industrial X-ray film waste
Sectors that valorise EWC 09 01 08 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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