The Photographic & Imaging Manufacturers Association, Inc. formerly the National Association of Photographic Manufacturers, Inc. (NAPM), and the Hedwin Corporation have developed a new pollution prevention program that can assist printers with re-routing a common waste stream found in printshops. The new program promotes a simplified pollution prevention opportunity for package recycling.

The "Cubitainer Recycling Program" as it is called, provides companies with a means to recycle the cube type packages which contain such chemistries as film developer and fixer. Sponsoring manufacturers of such chemistries provide the customers who participate in the program with the ability to recycle cubes.

The recyclable cube containers provided through the program are designed with an outer box package and a collapsible insert. The outer package of the recyclable cube containers is made of common corrugated board, while the insert is made of a flexible, low density polyethylene.

The way the program works is that once the chemistry is exhausted from the container, the outer package can be separated from the insert and is able to be recycled along with other corrugated waste generated by the print shop. The polyethylene insert itself needs to be triple rinsed and then shipped to the Hedwin Corporation for recycling.

Currently there are four manufacturers which are sponsoring the Cubitainer Recycling Program. For further information on how to enroll in this recycling program, and the sponsoring manufactures, please fax 607-722-0869 and request enrollment information. Make sure that you provide a return mailing address with your request.

Author: Gary A. Jones, PNEAC
GATF, Manager, Environmental, Health, and Safety Affairs