ULF, alternative processes and the environment

[sanking]

Anthotype is a very enviormentally friendly alternative process. See http://www.alternativephotography.com/process_anthotype.html

But don't expect it to give you the range of tones you would expect from a good carbon or pt./pd. print.

[Chad Jarvis]

I agree with Andrew. Any of the dichromate processes is pretty gentle. I'm currently advocating gum for its flexibility and lack of expense, but environmentally it's about as good as it gets.

Let's face it, though; there is no way to avoid putting some amount of heavy metal down your drain. Platinum and palladium are inert, but they cost more.

Carbon, gum and Rawlins oil might be the best best.

[Marco Annaratone]

Thank you all! Lots of info to sort through in your comments. The quality of the responses in this forum never ceases to impress me...

[dagat_at_buwan]

Does anyone here know how to dispose their photo chemicals safely
for the environment? Please help me on this matter, and share
useful information.

I enjoy and respect Nature, and as a photographer and an artist, it
is very important to preserve Nature's beauty.

However, being a photographer, we use chemicals that can damage the
environment. This goes for digital and traditional photography.

For digital photography, the printing shops should have a safe way
of chemical disposal.

For traditional black and white photography, individual
photographers should be responsible.

Does anyone know how to dispose used chemicals safely in the
Philippines?

I know that abroad, they actually have government service that takes
environmentally hazardous containers and chemicals from the villages
(usual examples are house paint, insecticides, batteries, even used
black and white photo chemicals). Not all have this service, so
photographers go to local government agencies and bring their stored
used chemicals there for proper disposal. I don't know if we have a
local government agency here in the Philippines that would dispose
photo chemicals. If we can just actually bring the used chemicals
there for proper disposal...if anyone knows of such an agency, let
me know.

Please help me on this matter because I am currently printing for a
photo exhibit, and I don't want to be guilty for dumping toxic
chemicals down the drain. I currently store my exhausted developer (dektol)
in a glass jar. I hope someone here knows how to deal with the
problem. Let me know how I can dispose the chemicals safely.

Thank you.