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For years I took it as an article of faith that disposable cameras were a bad thing. Now I think that, like photography itself, it's not so black-and-white.
Of course, there's little question that under normal circumstances, long-lasting cameras are the better choice. Nevertheless, disposables -- more accurately called "single-use" cameras -- aren't as bad as they seem, as most aren't actually disposed of. In 1990, four years after they were first introduced, both Kodak and Fuji, the industry leaders, started recycling them in response to pressure from NRDC and other environmental groups. Since then, the number recycled each year in the United States has climbed dramatically. Kodak claims that the recycling rate today is greater than 75 percent, more than for any other consumer product.
The reason for the high rate is twofold. One, manufacturers are behind recycling because they've found a way to make it profitable. Two, recycling doesn't depend on the actions of the consumer. It is the photo developer who sends used cameras back to the manufacturer. Kodak even pays developers about 15 cents per camera to do it.
Not only are most single-use cameras recycled, most of the material in the cameras is reused or recycled as well. In the case of Kodak's own cameras, 75 to 90 percent of the material, depending on the model, is put to new use. In fact, Kodak says that recycled cameras account for almost 90 percent of its manufacturing volume.
Still, as every good environmentalist knows, reuse is preferable to recycling. Therefore, long-lasting cameras win out. But the success with recycling single-use cameras does change the equation at the margins. I'm thinking especially of holiday parties and wedding receptions. If you want those sweet and funny pictures that you get if guests take pictures themselves, but know you can't rely on said guests to bring their own equipment, don't sweat it. Single-use cameras are acceptable on occasion if nothing else does the job. Just be sure that:
1) You buy a brand-name camera that you know is recycled, such as a Kodak or Fuji.
2) You check that the photo developer does indeed recycle. Some 25,000 in the United States do, so it shouldn't be a problem finding one.
As to your everyday camera, digital is definitely the way to go, environmentally speaking. There are several reasons. First and foremost, digital cameras eliminate the need for film, film processing, and the toxic chemicals that go along with both. A recent story from the Associated Press reports that silver levels have dropped by more than half in five years in the waters around Stockholm, which experts credit to the rise of digital photography.
Second, when you use a digital camera, you can view and choose pictures prior to printing so you don't end up printing bad pictures unnecessarily. Finally, digital pictures can be shared electronically without printing at all. The fewer prints you make, the less paper you use and less ink you let loose on the environment.
Like computers, digital cameras get better all the time. As new models are released, the older ones drop in price, which means you can get a fine camera for relatively little money if you don't need the latest model.
The flip side to this innovation is that it tempts you to replace your existing camera long before it's outlived its usefulness. And then, what do you do with the old camera? Recycle it, of course -- only you won't be able to drop it off at your neighborhood photo developer, the way you would a single-use camera. Instead, you will have to contact the manufacturer to see if it has a "take-back" program that covers your model. If it does, you will probably have to box and mail in your camera with a special label that the company will provide.
Obviously, this is much more trouble than it ought to be, especially when you consider that the camera may not even be fully recycled. It may only be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner to prevent its toxic metals from contaminating soil and groundwater. Still, that's something. Your only other option -- the better one, really -- is to donate the camera (and software) to a local school or nonprofit that could use it.
A short time ago, it was just as difficult to figure out what to do with your old cell phone. Now you can drop it off at most of the big mobile service stores or your local Staples -- or mail it in to one of many organizations that distributes them to people in need. Hopefully, we'll see something similar develop for digital camera recycling soon.
Meanwhile, try to resist the temptation to upgrade at every opportunity. It just turns your long-lasting camera into a disposable, minus the good recycling plan.
—Sheryl Eisenberg
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