Many of us have a pile of old x-rays, either from the dentist, doctor, or other medical professionals. It’s good to keep these x-rays for a few years, but sooner or later, they are no longer needed. What to do with old x-rays? Can you recycle x-ray film?
X-ray film is made from plastic that is coated with a silver substance. Both the plastic and the silver can be separated and recycled. This is great news and makes recycling your old x-rays a no-brainer.
Read on to find out more about x-rays, how they can be recycled and where you can dispose of your old x-ray film.
What are X-rays made from?
X-ray film is made from a clear film, usually PET plastic. The plastic film is then coated with a silver substance. It is this substance that helps to capture the image when you have a medical x-ray taken.
X-rays are similar to visible light rays except that they pass through the human body. As they pass through, they can be absorbed by different materials such as bone or soft tissue. Bone absorbs more x-rays and therefore appears as white structures on the film. Tissues and muscle absorbs fewer x-rays and shows up as darker spots or shadows on the x-ray.
Once the x-rays have passed through the human body, they pass through the x-ray film coated with the silver gel. The x-rays react with the silver and create the image.
Fortunately, these days devices are used to capture the image digitally, reducing the need for the plastic and silver used in an x-ray film.
There are still many places that use x-ray film, so it is worth learning how they can be recycled.
Why recycle X-ray films?
X-ray films can be recycled. In fact, it is the best way to dispose of them safely. The materials used are both valuable and easily recyclable.
Firstly there is the film itself. This is usually made from PET plastic. Which, as you may already know, is one of the most recyclable plastics. You can learn more about PET plastic in the following articles:
PET plastic is very recyclable. Given the current plastic crisis, we must all do our best to reduce the amount of plastic in the environment. Sending your x-rays to be recycled instead of sending them to landfills is a great way to ensure these materials get used again.
The other valuable material in x-rays is silver. Mining silver from the earth is an energy-intensive process that scars the earth and impacts the environment. Making sure the silver in your x-rays is reused helps reduce these impacts. There is also a finite amount of silver on earth, as with many other resources, so keeping it in use is very important for the future. Keeping materials in use is one of the three essential principles of a circular economy.
When you think of silver, it’s generally as jewelry or your grandmother’s good silver tableware. This type of silver is safe and not toxic; however, if silver gets into the environment, such as waterways, it can cause fish to die and create follow-on effects that impact ecosystems. It can even cause issues in humans if it gets into drinking water.
Can you recycle x-rays films in your curside bin?
Even though you can recycle x-ray films, they do not belong in your curbside recycling. They require a specialist recycling service. Below we provide a list of where you can recycle your old x-rays.
Can you put x-rays in the trash bin?
X-ray films also do not belong in the trash can. They are made from PET plastic and silver, which can be recycled and should not be sent to landfills.
If you are a medical business, be sure to check the local rules. In many places, it is illegal to dispose of x-rays in general waste due to privacy laws.
How are X-ray films recycled?
First, any paper envelopes are removed so they can be recycled. The films are washed in a chemical solution that separates the silver from the film. The silver is then melted and made into silver bars for sale. What remains is the clear PET plastic film which can also be sent to be recycled.
When to recycle x-ray films
The best advice is to talk to your doctor and ask how long they recommend you hold onto your old x-rays. It is important as how long you should hold onto them can vary depending on your circumstances.
What to do with old x-rays
Below is a list of available services for recycling x-rays in a few different countries. This is not an exhaustive list, so be sure to check your local area, do your own google search or talk to your medical professionals about take-back programs near you.
Also, many of these services are set up for business to business, accepting bulk quantities. It is worth giving them a call to make sure they also accept small amounts from individuals.
They generally all use the HIPAA standards for recycling x-rays, ensuring the information on the x-rays is destroyed. If you are concerned about privacy, have a chat with them to see what measures they take.
Another option is to check with your local authority or medical services. Have a chat with the place where you had the x-ray taken. These businesses often take back your x-ray so that it can be disposed of correctly.
Check our list of services below.
United States
- X-ray film recycling services will pick-up x-rays from businesses nationwide for free and pay you for the silver that is extracted. For individuals you can post your x-rays to them although they only pay for films when they get more then 50 lbs or more so you won’t get money but for your small batch. You will, however, get a certificate of disposal from them if you note it on your envelope. That’s a pretty good service.
United Kingdom
- Shred-it – Contact them to see if they accept small batches of x-ray recycling
Australia
- CMA Ecocycle – certifies that all materials are recycled in accordance with EPA guidelines. You can call them on 1300 32 62 92.
- Check your local transfer station.
Other options for disposing of x-ray films
If there is no personal information on your x-ray, you could consider donating them to a school for education or artistic uses. You could also craft your own pieces for the home simply by framing the x-ray. Check Pinterest for more great ideas.
The Wrap
Can you recycle x-rays? Yes, you can as long as you take them to a specialist recycling service or a drop-off center. X-rays do not belong in your curbside bin or your trash can.
Find out how to recycle other everyday household items in our recycling guides. Here are some of our most popular:
- Is Wax Paper Recyclable? Simple Recycling Guides for Everyday Objects
- Is Styrofoam Recyclable? How will we solve our Styrofoam problems?
- Recycling Tips: Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Recycling
- Can Bubble Wrap be Recycled?
- Can You Recycle Sunglasses?
- Clothes Recycling: How to Recycle Clothes Sustainably
Sources
- Better Health Channel, X-ray examinations
- US Department of Health & Human Services, X-rays
