Changing bags are great, they save the hassle of building a whole light-safe changing booth. But changing bags are not a darkroom necessity; if you want to be as eco-conscious as you can be just roll your negatives on to your reel in the darkroom. As long as you make sure the safelight is turned off and the darkroom is pitch black you will be fine. But if you don’t and there is any light in the room your negatives will be ruined! This method can be considered the most eco conscious because you are not using any non-essential products (such as the changing bag) that have a carbon footprint attached to it, other than the bare necessities.
So the next thing you need to figure out is how to open the film canisters. The best way you can do this is by using two products that almost everyone has in their kitchen, a can opener and a pair or scissors. Just make sure you take extra caution when using these sharp instruments in the dark, you don’t want to cut through your film or more importantly your pinky finger.
Next stop light-safe canisters and reels. You are going to be confronted with the age-old question of stainless steel or plastic. Although plastic may be cheaper I suggest springing for stainless steel. Stainless steel canisters and reels do not contain any petrochemicals, don’t crack, and last longer. If your plastic canister cracks, which it most likely will over time, you will need to buy a new one. Using stainless steel canisters and reels decreases its chances of cracking thus you will not need to buy a new one and contribute to the waste stream.
Now all you need are your chemicals. Stay tuned for an in-depth post on which are the most eco-friendly chemicals you can use.
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