California waste code 541 Developer, fixer & other darkroom & film-lab chemicals.

Free, no account
Based on California Title 22 and DTSC guidance
Nothing is stored

Miscellaneous
Photographic processing chemicals

The hazardous solution or chemical came from developing or processing photographs.

Hazardous solutions and chemicals from developing or processing photographs, often carrying silver.

Is California code 541 hazardous waste?

Not from the code alone. Waste must first be found hazardous. Code 541 isn't a restricted code, but a restricted category that fits takes priority over it. A code that isn't restricted doesn't make waste non-hazardous.

When a shipment needs the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, enter 541 in Item 13 for the waste line. Use one California code, plus the federal RCRA codes when the waste is federally hazardous.

RCRA waste meets a federal listing or characteristic, with no federal exclusion that applies. Non-RCRA waste is hazardous under California rules only. California presumes hazardous waste is RCRA unless the generator shows it isn't, so keep that determination.

What does California code 541 cover?

This code is for hazardous chemicals or solutions discarded from developing, fixing or another photographic-processing stage. Record the stage and contents, including silver where it is present, rather than just a darkroom label.

Official wording: 22 CCR division 4.5, chapter 11, Appendix XII(b)

Is photographic waste California code 541?

Code	When it fits
541	Discarded hazardous chemicals or solutions came from developing, fixing or another photographic-processing stage.

The current numerical and alphabetical tables and DTSC's dated 2017 guidance differ slightly in singular, plural and spacing. None gives a different condition.

Which wastes take California code 541?

Waste	When it’s 541
Photographic processing waste	Discarded solutions or chemicals came from developing, fixing or other photographic processing

Which codes sit beside California code 541?

Code	What it is
512	Large non-pesticide container
513	Small hazardous-waste container
521	Mud from drilling
531	Chemical toilet waste
551	Discarded laboratory chemicals
561	Discarded detergent or soap
571	Fly, bottom or retort ash
581	Waste from a gas scrubber