Photographs

Alternative ways to recycle
Put in Garbage Cart

Don't Recycle Professional Prints

Prints from in-store photo centers or online photo services cannot be recycled because they are processed with chemicals that will contaminate paper recycling.

Regular Printer Photos Are Recyclable

If your photos were printed on a regular paper printer, they can be recycled along with office paper.

Old Photos Contain Heavy Metals

Old photographs cannot be recycled because they are coated in heavy metals such as silver and mercury.

Alternative Ways to Recycle

Donate Historical Photos

You can donate old photographs with historical value to organizations like the Society of American Archivists. These organizations want to preserve family histories and share them with others.

Ways to Reduce

Affordable and Recyclable Paper

HP’s Everyday Glossy Photo Paper is an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to plastic for at-home photo printing. It is a mixed paper that can be recycled.

Ways to Reuse

Mail Photos as Postcards

Consider turning unwanted photos into postcards by writing a fun message on the back and sending them to family and friends. You can also glue them to a piece of thicker cardstock before mailing to keep them safe during travel.