In Combrée, the Segré Lions Club recently set up two recycling bins for old x-rays at the nursing center and the physiotherapy office.
Patrick Levêque, president of the Lions club, explains the approach: We are developing an action to recover x-rays, in partnership with the National Forestry Office (ONF). After extracting the film from these radios, the revenue will allow the ONF to save the forests with new plantations, such as in Baugé for example.
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Toxic waste
The technique of x-rays has evolved, they are replaced by online storage and consultation. There are many X-rays left in people’s homes and they don’t know how to get rid of them. It is impossible to throw them in the trash because they contain toxic waste which pollutes the groundwater due to the presence of silver salt.
“ They must be collected and recycled by approved companies.indicates Patrick Levêque. The radios are coated with a layer of silver nitrate which has a high commercial value. They are crushed, soaked in an active solution then electrolyzed. »
He pursues : “ The money is then routed to asmelter refiner which transforms it according to needs. The x-ray support will be used to manufacture polyester or will be recovered for energy. A ton of recycled x-rays produces around 10 kg of silver
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Nursing center, 36 rue de l’Hôtel de ville. Physiotherapy practice, 2 rue François-Adam.
