Photo Lab Case Study: Custom Color Laboratory

Custom Color Laboratory, a Palo Alto photoprocessor, has significantly reduced hazardous waste and washwater generation by material substitution and process equipment changes:

A few years ago the lab installed a water recycling system for secondary wash water. After ion-exchange columns remove the silver content, water is returned to the wash process. The system recycles 40,000-60,000 gals./month, and although it cost approximately $45,000, it paid for itself in four years through savings on water, gas, and sewage bills.

A recent materials switch to chemistry and paper containing less silver halide reduces silver effluent and requires 33-77% less replenisher. The new chemistry system is also 3 times faster, reduces washwater use by 300%, and triples potential productivity. Though required equipment changes cost approximately $55,000, these savings paid for the new equipment in about one year. Quality has improved too - with better color fidelity!

In addition, a regenerative bleach fix currently being tested would allow their processors to operate almost entirely as closed-loop systems. The system appears to be successful in full-scale production, reducing replenisher use to approximately 93% less than the original system.

Because Custom Color reduced silver-bearing chemistry discharges to less than 150 gals./month, one of the biggest advantages of their efforts was avoidance of regulation under original Permit-by-Rule (PBR).

Reduced costs, permits, and environmental impact - Increased production capacity and quality: . . .

. . . Good work Custom Color!

For more information call
Santa Clara County Pollution Prevention Program
(408) 441-1195