What Happens to X-Ray Film After It Is Recycled?
After pickup, X-ray film is separated from the other materials stored with it and sent through an appropriate recycling process. Silver-bearing film can be processed to recover silver. Patient information also needs to be securely destroyed as part of handling a medical archive.
The approved files leave your facility
California Film Recycling comes to your facility and boxes the files you have approved for removal. The team takes out the collection, including the film and the records, envelopes, and CDs stored with it.
You do not need to strip down each file before pickup. Keep the approved areas clearly identified so the team knows what to remove and what must stay.
Film is separated from other materials
An old film file is usually more than a sheet of film. Paper jackets, reports, labels, and discs need to be separated so each material can be handled properly.
Our team does that sorting. If the archive also contains equipment, processing liquids, or other items outside the files, mention them when arranging the job so they can be discussed separately.
Watch the one-minute guide
Silver-bearing film is processed
Many traditional X-ray films have a silver-bearing image layer on a plastic base. A professional recovery process separates recoverable silver from that material.
The method used depends on the film and the processor. Film does not turn directly into a finished silver bar, and the amount recovered is only a small part of the total film weight.
Recovered silver needs further processing
The material collected during silver recovery may still need refining before it becomes reusable silver. Recovery and refining are related steps, but they are not the same thing.
This is why the value of a collection depends on its film products and recoverable material. The number of boxes alone does not tell you how much silver is inside.
Private information is securely destroyed
Patient information may be on the film, its envelope, the paper records, and CDs. Removing a paper label does not take care of the whole file.
California Film Recycling provides HIPAA-compliant service that includes secure destruction of patient information. We provide a Certificate of Destruction for your records after the work is completed.
The job ends with clear records
Keep the collection details and Certificate of Destruction with your approval to remove the files. Where film is purchased, keep the weight and payment records as well.
If you need a specific report for your facility, discuss it before pickup. The report should describe the materials and work actually covered by the job.
Talk with California Film Recycling
To arrange film recycling and removal, contact California Film Recycling. We handle the boxing and sorting so your staff can finish clearing the approved storage space.