If you have x-ray equipment, you are likely to produce:

  • waste fixer
  • waste developer
  • empty fixer and developer containers
  • waste film.

Disposing of x-ray photochemicals

Waste x-ray photochemicals and their containers are classified as hazardous/special waste. You must store, transport and dispose of this waste as hazardous/special waste to make sure you do not cause a risk to human health or the environment. You are committing an offence if you do not follow the regulations for dealing with hazardous/special waste.

Hazardous/special waste

You must not mix hazardous/special waste with your other waste or with other types of hazardous/special waste. Segregate your waste so that different wastes types do not get contaminated.

Segregating your waste

You must complete consignment notes for any hazardous/special waste that leaves your site. You must keep a register containing all of the consignment notes and the consignee returns. You must keep these records for three years.

You must ensure that your waste is stored, handled, recycled or disposed of safely and legally. You must comply with your waste responsibilities, known as your duty of care.

Your waste responsibilities

You should send x-ray photochemical waste for recovery or recycling.

Containers for x-ray photochemicals

You must store waste x-ray photochemicals in appropriate leak-proof containers.

You must store fixer and developer in separate containers. You must not mix them.

You must label all containers that hold x-ray photochemicals.

How to complete the waste paperwork

Classifying and describing x-ray photochemical waste

If you have segregated your waste according to this guidance, you will need to classify the waste in the consignment note as follows:

Water based x-ray developer

Use the European waste catalogue code 09 01 01*

Example description: X-ray developer

Fixer solutions (non-bleach)

Use the European waste catalogue code 09 01 04*

Example description: X-ray fixer

You should not enter non-hazardous waste codes on consignment notes. You should describe and code each hazardous waste present on the consignment note.

Digital X-ray cameras

You can avoid the need for X-ray photochemicals by installing digital X-ray equipment. This has the added advantage of using considerably lower levels of X-rays.

Further information

GOV.UK: Safe management of healthcare waste (UK-wide)

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