How can I reuse or recycle old photographic slides?

We’ve had an email from Karen, asking:

Do you have any suggestions on how I can recycle 35mm slides in wallets?

I suspect that on a crafty level, they could be used in similar ways to photo negatives and the like but as Karen is a Environment & Waste Management Officer at a university, I suspect she might have more than can easily be reused – so does anyone know if there are any ways to actually recycle them?

Any other slide-centric reuse suggestions?

(Photo by Hutschi)

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282 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle old photographic slides?”


  1. lora says:

    Hello!

    If anyone has any slides or old photograhs that they would like to send me, I’ll pay shipping. My email is loraofthelou@hotmail.com. I love to use for projects!

    Thanks,
    Lora

    • Dan Laut says:

      Lora,

      I have a document box full of old slides (professional photographer) from industrial/commercial shows.
      I’m in Falls Church, VA.
      I was on the verge of taking them to the landfill, but I’ll hold on to them awaiting your reply.

      Dan~

      • lora says:

        Hi Dan!

        I’ll take ’em. What do you think shipping would be and do you have paypal to pay for the shipping?

        Thanks!

    • Donna says:

      Lora, I may have quite a lot of things for you, but I’d be interested in knowing what sorts of projects you do? soph_mini@yahoo.com. Thanks!

      Donna

    • Paul says:

      Hi lora I’m paul iv have at least 15000 slides from flowers to fungi trees insects wild life aircraft mountains 1970s 80s models female some dressed some not and many more subject hence these are not free babe they are £500.00 plus shipping there might be more than 15000 I would have to count them. They would be great for seminars or people into subject they can sell for 99p to. 1.25p a slide and they cover England Scotland and Wales and other countrys. If you know other people interested in these maybe club together. I will count them and find out shipping cost . These slide are boxed in small slide boxes and in trays around 10 inches long if they are taken out the weight could drop at least 10-15kg please reply if you are interested yes or no please. I live in Berkshire England uk

       

       

      • lora says:

        Hi Paul, thanks but I wouldn’t need quite that many. Just don’t want people to throw them away. Have a good one!

    • Melanie says:

      I have 300+ slides I like someone to have, can you still use them?

    • Peggy says:

      Please contact me and put Old Slides in the subject.

      Peg

      • Alida says:

        Dear Peg,
        Are you still interested in old slides? I have some, mainly from Europe. Let me know if you are interested and how I could get them to you.
        Thanks. Alida

    • Steve Bowman says:

      Hello- my father recently passed away and was an avid photographer. We are having an auction in mid July to sell most everything. My father had approx. 14,000 slides, 35 mm, stored in the round carousel projection trays. Each tray holds 140 slides. These are mostly vacation pictures, some family shots. Can you use these for your repourposing projects. Please let me know, otherewise, they will be destroyed.

      Thanks

      Steve Bowman

      • John says:

        Hello Steve,
        Many thanks for posting your request.

        Where are you located?

        I’m in the U.K.

        I look forward to hearing from you.
        John

        recyjohn@greenmail.net

      • Kevin Wood says:

        Hello Steve

        I’d be very interested in your slides please.
        I do some crafts and could use them for clocks,that I make.
        Would pay for post & packing.I’m in Derbyshire, England.

        Regards.
        Kevin

    • Ann Pottier says:

      Hello Lora,
      We have a few boxes 35mm slides from my mother in law. Most of the photos are from france and africa. Do you want them?
      Thanks,
      Ann

  2. NANCY SCHROEDER says:

    I have hundreds of travel slides that I would like to recycle.
    Let me know at nancyandudo@gmail.com
    Thanks, Nancy

  3. Gayle says:

    Hello,
    Anyone still looking for 35mm slides?
    I found many slides in grandparents cupboard – 100s. First batch (approx 200) is of flowers and birds. Don’t know what the others are yet.
    I’m in Perth Australia, but I’m sure the post can deliver anywhere!
    Can email me if interested: gaylewf1@gmail.com

  4. Jailee says:

    I can take slides off your hands! If you serious you can mail them to me.
    reply and we’ll figure a way to exchange information.

  5. Jennifer says:

    Hi All!
    I just came across this site and noticed many of you want to get rid of your slides.
    I will be HAPPY to take them off your hands. I can pay shipping if you would like through Paypal.
    Please contact me if you still have some to get rid of!
    Thank you!
    Jennifer
    (casablanca922@yahoo.com)

    • Lynne Byrd says:

      I have a boxful of travel slides (commercially made)–no family pics. They are in trays. My husband has a PayPal account I could provide for payment of the shipping. Please let me know if you would like them.

  6. Joanne says:

    We have boxes and boxes of travel slides from the 1950’s that we would like to dispose of and/or donate. Can I ask what you use them for?
    joannejohn33@hotmail.com

    • Deb Gomer says:

      I would love em, I make lamps cool art stuff.
      U could mail em Media Mail (way cheap) I will mail u check back ASAP.
      Thanks so much
      Deb

    • Kevin Wood says:

      Hi Joanne

      I’d love to use your slides for creating unique clocks. I could make one for you using one of your slides.
      I could pay postage via paypal.

      Regards.

      Kevin

      • Jo marriott says:

        Hi Kevin

        I have inherited 100s of slides relating to geology and geography you are welcome to them if you want them. I’m in Derbyshire .

  7. David oyster says:

    I have hundreds if not thousands of dental slides oral medicine/oral surgery slides. Have fully retired and do not need. Local dental school does not want. At least 10 to 12 full one and a half inch binders. Do not wish to just dump in the trash or light on fire!!

    Please advise!!

  8. Jill says:

    Hi Friend of mine died..Has hundreds of slides. Mostly nature and wildlife.. Looking for suggestions what to do with..thx
    Jill from Fl

    • Kevin Wood says:

      Hi Jill

      I’d love to use your slides for creating unique clocks. I could make one for you using one of your slides.
      I could pay postage via paypal.

      Regards.

      Kevin

      • Mandy Wiles says:

        HI Kevin
        If you are interested l have half a suit case full of slides in slide boxes (Don’t know what you call them) They are family holidays. I am in Victoria Australia. Lemme know if you are interested.
        Mandy

  9. Jez says:

    Hi Jill,

    I can make good use of them if you’re interested. I use them in art projects (inc. working with students etc.) & also i’m heavily involved with nature recording (photography & sound) so would be interested in getting them scanned & preserved.

    ta,

    Jez

    • Ann Randall says:

      My family has thousands of slides we are getting rid of. You interested?
      My father loved to take pics of nature.

      Ann Randall
      South Euclid, OH

      Randlut@aol.com

      • Kevin Wood says:

        Hi Ann

        I’d love to use your slides for creating unique clocks. I could make one for you using one of your slides.
        I could pay postage via paypal.

        Regards.

        Kevin

      • Kevin Wood says:

        Hi Everyone

        I’d love to use your slides for creating unique clocks. I could make one for you using one of your slides.
        I would be interested to hear from anyone who wishes to dispose of any sort of old photographs or not so old photographs.
        I would pay postage costs via paypal,I’m in UK.
        I look forward to hearing from you.

        Regards.

        Kevin

    • Peggy says:

      Please contact me and put Old slides in subject line.

      • Joanna Athey says:

        Old slides for the asking – if you pay postage. plastic and cardboard framed

  10. Claudia says:

    I have inherited many slides that my grandfather took, mostly of flowers, trees, landscapes, beaches, blue ridge parkway from the ’50’s and 60’s. He was a wonderful photographer and I hate to trash these. They are all meticulously labled with their content and date. I have removed ones with any sentimental value, but would like to have others use these if they can. He was based in Pennsylvania, but traveled to SC, Florida, Texas. Some from my mother from the ’40’s when she and my father were at Philadelphia General Hospital in school. Please contact me if you are interested at ncarolinacj@aol.com

  11. Deb Gomer says:

    I will take any and all slides anyone has!
    I make art stuff with em as I have run out ofy own,
    U can mail them Media Mail (way cheap) and I will mail u postage back.
    Thanks to all who have sent me some.
    Thanks deb
    Please alway recycle!

  12. Deb Gomer says:

    My email gomerfoto@yahoo.com
    I need slides please!
    Thanks and always Recycle!
    Deb

  13. Jennifer says:

    Hi!
    I have had many people from here contact me asking if I wanted slides and I resonded YES! But after the initial contact I have not heard back from anyone… If you are wanting to unload some, please let me know!
    Thanks!!
    Jennifer

  14. NB says:

    HI all,

    I have about 15 kilos worth of slides. I can pay for the shipping if someone is interested in having them.

    Thanks

    • Deb Gomer says:

      Yes I will take all slides, I make lamps & things out of em.
      Gomerfoto@ yahoo.com
      Deb Gomer
      48 W. Arcade St. Stockton, Ca 95204.
      Thanks and always recycle.

      • Penny says:

        Are you still collecting old slides? Will you pay for shipping from the Bay Area?

      • Ann Marie Haase says:

        We are downsizing. Thirteen boxes of slides in round plastic containers used in showing films. Will you be able to use them? If so, let me know and after I look them over to make sure I have all photos of family, I will ship them to you. Content is film of European countries.

    • Lauren says:

      Hi, I realise your post about Photographic slides was quite a while ago now but was wondering if you still plan on getting rid of some as I would be very interested
      Lauren :)

  15. Anonymous says:

    I would like to dispose of my slides. I have at least 800 slides. Where can I dispose of them in Gainesville Fl?

    Thanks,

    C

  16. John says:

    Hello All Photo Recyclers,
    I would be interested to hear from you if you wish to dispose of any sort of old photographs or not so old photographs.
    I would of course pay postage costs if you are within the U.K.
    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Contact me at recyjohn@greenmail.net

    Thanks John

  17. Cindy Morgan says:

    My in-laws have about 10 boxes of old travel slides. If you would like them for art projects please email me at crmorgan99@comcast.net

  18. Andrea says:

    Please would people give me details of what they actually use old slides for?
    I’ve been offered some (relating to work) and would love to use them, preferably for simple kids’ activities with a nature-related theme.
    Look forward to hearing from you!

  19. Mike says:

    I have a thousand slides left from
    a friend who passed away (92). Many are from
    Holland , some from Oregon/USA I find it a pity
    to just throwing them away. let me know if you can use them, maybe a good reason to visit the UK again ( London Warriors Baseball Team… 2 times national champs in the 80’s ! :)

    Mike

  20. Lauren says:

    Hi, if just started collecting slides and was wondering if anyone was giving them away? I wouldn’t mind paying but I probably couldn’t give a lot because I’m only a student and have no job at the moment. I just discovered them when looking through my granddad’s old stuff and think they are really interesting and would be a waste to throw away so if anyone is getting rid of any then please contact me
    Thanks
    Lauren :)
    laurenmauds1569@yahoo.co.uk

  21. Laura says:

    I have become the family history storage holder and wondered if anyone wants old slides? I have so many!

    • Kevin says:

      If you still have those old slides, I would love them…..Just started collecting slides recently and have just fallen in love with them…

  22. Francene says:

    Are you still interested in slides? We have hundreds of my fathers old vacation slide.

  23. Teresa Redmon says:

    I am looking for slides of
    LANDSCAPE,
    NATURE, FLOWERS,
    OLD VACTIONS, ETC.
    I’m painting murals.

    If you have any to dispose of, please contact me at waywardragamuffin@yahoo.com

    • Hilary Audus says:

      I have 1,000’s of my father’s slides. He was a botanist , so lots of photos of flowers. Also many photos of trips in America, Jamaica, Russia Photos taken in the 50’s to 70’s. He was a good photographer and I’d hate to bin them. Are you still interested?

  24. Kevin says:

    Have just started collecting slides from thrift stores auction, where ever I can find them. I love looking through all the different places and people. If folks are looking to get rid of there old slides I am willing to help out.
    drop me a line….

    • jo says:

      Hi Kevin,
      still interested in slides? What do you do with them? I have about 30 carousel’s of travel slides from my parents.

    • Peggy says:

      Hi. Email me. Put Old Slides in subject line.

    • Peggy says:

      Please write to me- I have lots of old slides! Need to get them out of my house and hope it is not to a landfill.

      pbagwell2@verizon.net

      Put “Old Slides” in the Subject line, please.

    • Elisabeth Goozee says:

      I have many slides which an old friend has taken over the years and who has sadly recently passed on. They are mixed holiday/general slides. Are you still interested in collecting them please?
      Liz

      • kevin says:

        Hello Elisabeth

        I’d love you to gift them to me,please. I would pay the postage & package costs, if your able to post them to me.
        I’m in Derby, England.

        Regards.

        Kevin

  25. John says:

    Hello All Photo Recyclers,

    I would be interested to hear from you if you wish to dispose of any sort of old photographs or not so old photographs.
    I would of course pay postage costs if you are within the U.K.

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Contact me at recyjohn@greenmail.net
    Thanks
    John

  26. Carol Trost says:

    I have thousands of slides from an Aunt and Uncle who were professional photographers. Glass encased teaching slides as well as pics from the early space program and 1960 democratic convention. Free to anyone who pays the shipping.
    Carol

  27. roger hargreaves says:

    These slides are all free to you, mostly taken in Africa. Delivering or posting them may be a problem, any ideas? We live in the North west of England UK

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Roger,

      I was wondering, do you still have those slides around? I’ve taken to collecting them to make art projects :)

      • Peggy Bagwell says:

        I have many slides to give you if you want them. Have been posting and posting and am ready to put them in our paper recycling if I do not hear back from someone out there. I do not want them to end up in a landfill!

        Sarah, this means you- and everyone else who has a hankering for old slides! Please, please get back to me.

        Thanks.

        Peggy

      • roger hargreaves says:

        Hello Sarah,

        Haven’t been checking for answers recently. Just found your reply, thanks. yes, all the slides are here gathering dust!!

        Any ideas re. collecting them etc?

        If so, can you contact me on my email address direct instead of via this site please? Regards Roger.

  28. Kevin says:

    Hi Everyone.

    Just found this great site via another topic on here.

    Anyway, I’d be interested in any old slides that people have and want to pass on.
    I’d pay for P&P to get them to my home. Unless you live in Derby/Derbyshire area.

    Kevin

  29. I have become the family history storage holder and wondered if anyone wants old slides? I have so many!

  30. Jennifer says:

    Kevin, Sarah or others –
    Have slides, will send. Willing to share postage as I am in the US; big fan of re-use. How do I contact you?
    Jennifer

  31. kevin says:

    Hello Everyone.

    I’m still interested in any slides that people have to gift me.
    Will pay the costs of postage/package, can arrange this via email.

    Regards.

    Kevin
    Derby, England.

    • Jennifer says:

      Kevin, (or anyone else) are you still looking for slides? Please let me know on jenniferuk11@gmail.com

      Thanks

    • Mo Walford says:

      Hi
      Do you pay anything for old slides?
      I have a huge number of them left by my ex-husband (deceased) mainly birds from abroad as well as UK
      Mo

      • Kevin says:

        Hello Mo

        Yes I’d love to have your old slides that you don’t want.
        I can pay for the postage as you willing to pass them on to me.
        Would use them for projects and show what I’ve done with them.

        Look forward to your reply.
        Regards.

        Kevin.

  32. John says:

    Hello All Photo Recyclers,
    I would be interested to hear from you if you wish to dispose of any sort of old photographs.
    I would of course pay postage costs if you are within the U.K. I look forward to hearing from you.
    Contact me at
    recyjohn@greenmail.net
    Thanks John

  33. Peggy Bagwell says:

    I wrote to as many of you as I could but did not hear back from anyone. So here is what I am doing: A few times a week, while watching the news or something that does not require intense concentration, I get a bunch of slides, pop out the film with my thumbs, throw the cardboard into recycling bin, and throw the film in the trash. Call me crazy but to me it is better than throwing the whole thing in the landfill. When I had earlier called our recycling place, they said that they could not accept them with the film in, which is why I chose to do it the way I did.

  34. Lynne says:

    Have professional travel slides from many places in the world that my great aunt collected on travels in the 1950-1970s. Have no use for these and would be happy to give to someone who can use them as it seems a shame to throw in the trash!

    • kevin says:

      Hi Lynne
      I’d be happy to give them a new home an lease of life.
      Will pay post & package to you if you will gift them to me,please.
      I’m in Derby, England.

      Regards.

      Kevin

      • thomas wood says:

        I have about 100 slides of mixed cardboard and plastic frames general holidays and family reside in Derby Oakwood if you are still interested

  35. Debbie says:

    Hi everyone
    I have just found about 50-70 slides (the plastic ones you put in projectors) from my days at art school and from working in a photography gallery.

    I don’t want them anymore and would be happy to give them to someone who can use them as it seems a shame to throw in the trash! Let me know if they can be recycled for any art projects etc I’m based up near Manchester if anyone is local.

    Thanks

    • Kevin says:

      Hi Debbie

      I’d love to be gifted them,as I do a bit of photography myself.
      It is great to see what other people have taken.I’m thinking of setting up a website of other peoples work just to let the wider world see them.
      I will pay post & package to you, if you will gift them to me,please.

      Regards.

      Kevin

  36. carol Eyster says:

    I have 100s of slides from travels that I have converted to photos that I needed to do my story.

    I am not on any Facebook etc. I just work with email. Please reply by email if you can use my slides. I have them packed and will pay the shipping.

    Thank you waiting to hear from someone for I am moving.

    • Kevin Wood says:

      Hi Carol

      I’d love the slides if you still have them to gift.
      I can send you the cost of the package & postage.
      Look forward to hearing from you.

      Regards.

      Kevin

  37. Mark B says:

    I have about 200 slides I can send to whomever wants them. Please let me know what to do.

  38. Christopher says:

    I would love old slides so I can use them for a few projects. Do you still have them?

  39. Peggy says:

    Hi, all. I solved my slide problem by sitting with a pile every few evenings during the news, punching out the film, and tossing the cardboard into the paper recycling. It went much faster than I expected. Threw the film into the trash. Shame on me.

  40. Christopher says:

    Email me at cenglese@gmail.com if you have slides that you don’t want. I’ll use them. Thanks so much.

  41. Kevin says:

    Hi

    I see that there are still a few people on here,wanting to pass on old slides.
    I’d love to be gifted them,as I do a bit of photography myself.
    It is great to see what other people have taken.I’m thinking of setting up a website of other peoples work just to let the wider world see them.
    I will pay post & package to you, if you will gift them to me,please.
    You can contact me at tree2020tree@yahoo.co.uk

    Regards.

    Kevin in Derby, England

  42. Dee says:

    Hi there,

    I have a few hundred old slides of travel, landscapes, flowers. Please let me know if anyone wants them for projects. p.rothery@comcast.net

    Thanks!

  43. Lyn says:

    I have several hundred slides my father took of our vacations in the USA. I now live in the UK. Does anyone want all/some of the slides?
    Reply with Slides in the subject line.

    • jez says:

      SLIDES

      Hi Lyn,

      I can use them for art projects with young artists ! let me know how to proceed. thanks !

    • Kevin Wood says:

      Hi Lyn
      I’d love to have your father’s slides, please.
      Would use them for alsorts of things, like cards, clock faces or just for the quality of the photo’s. Or anything that I’m sure your father would be proud of.
      Would also acknowledge that your father took them.

      Regards.

      Kevin
      tree2020tree@yahoo.co.uk

  44. John says:

    SLIDES

    Hello Lyn,
    Thanks for your posting about slides.

    I would like to take your slides for recycling.

    I would also pay the postage as you say you are resident in the U.K.

    My email is recyjohn@greenmail.net

    I look forward to hearing from you.
    Regards
    John

  45. JennB says:

    I have about 90 slides for anyone interested. They apparently were used for art education. Broad titles are ” Misc. Social Commentary:,”Kathy Kollwitz”, “Judy Chicago”, “Guermica”, “Barbara Kruger”.

    If you are interested, please email me with Art Slides in the subject line.

    • jez says:

      art slides

      Hi JennB – I could really use those as I work with students on art projects including using old slides in new ways. Couldn’t find your email address.

      • MaryEllen says:

        I have a bag slides, mostly travel related. If you pay shipping, they are yours. Let me know.

  46. Kevin says:

    Hello Everyone

    Yes I’d love to have anyones old slides that they don’t want.
    I can pay for the postage as I think thats only fair for you passing them on to me.
    Would use them for projects and show what I’ve done with them.

    Look forward to your reply.
    Regards.

    Kevin.
    contact: wood365@yahoo.co.uk if that’s better.

  47. Caitlin says:

    Hello recyclethis community!

    I’m in search of the ever-elusive photographic slides. My boyfriend and I recently purchased an old fixer-upper film projector and want to put it to use! So if you have any old slides lying around we would love to hear from you. We would happily pay postage and are open to discuss a fair price that works for us all. Looking forward to hearing from you!

    Caitlin

  48. Elizabeth says:

    Does anyone still want old slides? I’ve got about 2500. How about reels of 8 mm film? I’m in Canada.
    Elizabeth

    • kevin says:

      Hi Elizabeth

      I’m interested in your old slides.
      I can pay the postage if you pack them.
      However, I’m in England so don’t know what the cost will be.
      Please, get back to me.

      Regards.
      Kevin

      • clea wallis says:

        Hallo Kevin- I have a wondeful collection from my late father.
        What do you need them for? they are mainly landscapes, rivers,
        nature and a mix of other things. We are in London- any good?
        Clea
        I just left a message below

  49. Elizabeth says:

    Thanks Kevin. I’ll check with the post office and let you know.

  50. Shar says:

    Anyone interested in about 8,000 slides from late 1950s – 1980s?
    Family trips, holidays, Europe, 1965 World’s Fair in NYC, etc. They are in slide trays or 30 -40 each, and the trays are in boxes designed for slide trays. I would like to see them repurposed before I finally have to dump them. Hope to hear from somebody!



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