Plastic film canisters

[seany65]

I was just wondering if there's any sort of 're-use' scheme of the plastic film canisters that the film cassette comes in, other than shoving them on the plastic recycling bin?

It seems such a ridiculous waste to shove them in the recycling bin, to be turned in granules, melted down and then moulded into soemthing, possibly back into film canisters.

Think of all the energy use, pollution and messing about transport them in both directions, if there is no 're-use' scheme, when all that needs to be done is sent back to the film companies for re-use.

 

[sepiareverb]

Here in Vermont they are too small to be recycled, they are trash. As a result I have a whole lot of them stockpiled.

Items for plastic or metal recycling must be 2 inches in two dimensions minimum.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Maybe tape a ton of them together and make a raft.
I probably have a few hundred of them and I don't have enough nuts and bolts and bits for cameras, car and bikes to necessitate keeping them all. I don't want to throw them away though as that is a 15,000 year commitment to a few square inches of landfill.

Maybe we, the 35mm users here and in other forums, can join forces with all our plastic canisters, throw them into an olympic size swimming pool and make a giant photographers' "ball pit."

Phil Forrest

 

[Rob-F]

Here in St. Louis, some camera stores accept them for recycling. One thing I have done with them is to cut the bottom off one, then force it into the top of a second one to maker a container for exposed 120 roll film. If you use the black canisters, it keeps the light off them to prevent fogging the edges.

 

[TXForester]

Keep 'em to store small items.

When I'd go fishing, I'd leave the wallet in the truck and put my I.D. in my pocket along with my fishing license in the film canister. I'd have what I need if Mr. Game Warden showed up, and the Kodak made canisters kept the lid on tight if I decided to wade.

 

[creenus]

I use a few canisters to store cotton balls smeared with Vaseline - they make fantastic fire starters should you get stranded in the boondocks and need to start a fire to keep yourself warm. I keep them in my car with a plastic bag of matches and tinder (dry wood shavings, dried out fluff), along with emergency food, blankets and water. I live in a fairly deserted part of northwest New Mexico, where it helps to be ready for anything, just in case.

 

[x-ray]

My wife is a fine artist, oil painter, and she uses them for storing small quantities of paint that she's mixed.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Creenus, where in New Mexico? I grew up there and travel back as often as life will let me.

Phil Forrest

 

[rbiemer]

There is always this:
https://youtu.be/s0PzrJM_IO0😀

A bit more seriously, if you either are a camper or know any, film canisters work very well for spices. I seem to recall seeing "tupperware" lids for film canisters that were close-able shaker tops.

Maybe offer your excess to a local school science teacher/program?

Rob

 

[rbiemer]

I use a few canisters to store cotton balls smeared with Vaseline - they make fantastic fire starters should you get stranded in the boondocks and need to start a fire to keep yourself warm. I keep them in my car with a plastic bag of matches and tinder (dry wood shavings, dried out fluff), along with emergency food, blankets and water. I live in a fairly deserted part of northwest New Mexico, where it helps to be ready for anything, just in case.

You can also use dryer lint for the "dried out fluff" part of this good idea.
And Doritos work well for fire starting too.

Rob

 

[ruby.monkey]

I use them to hold single portions of vinaigrette for packed lunches. Perfect size to allow a thorough shake before serving.

I've also trained my kids to put lost teeth in them to go under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy. Makes them so much easier to find at night.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Dear Board,

Like TX Forester I use them for fishing. I keep split-shot and strike indicators in them and when I am tying flies I often put the flies in one before I transfer them to one of the fly boxes I carry.

I know some old school heads that use the old screw top 35mm canisters to store weed too.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA 🙂

 

[nikon_sam]

One of our friends is a Second Grade Teacher and I give them to her...she uses them when a student happens to lose a tooth..."Tooth Storage"...
I use them to hold Gum and small screws, change...they're great for holding small stuff...

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Once or twice I have had punters try to nab mine off me as I've dropped film off at a couple of labs. (I tell them to go shoot their own film, as I re-use mine for safekeeping of small camera parts when I am working on various cameras, or organising parts). But I suspect you will find that if you make a give away post on a local craigslist, facebook group or other medium for getting the word out, you won't have too much trouble finding people who will want to re-use them for various purposes.
Cheers
Brett

 

[Pablito]

Well the traditional use going back to the 60s when they used to be made of aluminum is to store your marijuana.

 

[rbiemer]

Somebody finds these worthwhile--out of idle curiosity I searched ebay for sold listings of used (and not metal or "vintage") and found this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/300-PCS-Empty-Black-Bottle-35mm-FILM-CANS-CANISTERS-CONTAINERS-gray-tops-/282393111011?hash=item41bff0e9e3:g:Fy0AAOSwTM5YxeMQ

300+ plastic canisters for $236.
Around 78 cents each! Or a bit less; the total number was not very exact. Admittedly, this was the highest priced sold listing but there were 26 bids from just two people.

Saw lots of sellers describing these as "great for geocaching" so that might be a way to recycle them if you have a bunch.
Rob

 

[Spavinaw]

There was a thread like this many years ago. I have a pair of salt and pepper shakers with the perforated lids that can be closed water tight. Also, previously I suggested putting a slit down the side and making a dispenser for a roll of postage stamps.

 

[ruby.monkey]

The white translucent tubs can be used as a pretty effective diffuser for a pop-up flash.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I once used them to store quarters in the glove compartment for
tolls and parking meters. Now we have E-ZPass and Muni-Meter.

Chris

 

[dmr]

Keep 'em to store small items.

Same here.

Screws and such when disassembling a camera.

Small pieces when making jewelry.

Advil and lo-dose aspirin when on the road.

I know I will think of more right after I hit POST. 🙂