As Kodak continues to improve the technical features of its products, it also strives to produce new products and services that are environmentally friendly. In addition, Kodak has worked with the U.S. EPA to promote the concept that green chemistry and pollution prevention strategies need to be part of the product development process. HSE scientists and engineers are vital participants in the team that develops imaging products and services, participating from program inception to technology, design and manufacturing readiness reviews. They also conduct toxicology and safety assessments on formulations and product life-cycle impact evaluations. The company strives to integrate these concepts into all of its product designs, thereby saving money, reducing emissions and avoiding costly retrofits to meet regulatory requirements in the future.
New products can often satisfy several needs simultaneously.
For example, the Kodak BugBeater 300 biocide cartridge, a biogrowth control device, is a completely new way of reducing biogrowth problems in photoprocessors. The BugBeater cartridge binds the biocide within a recyclable cartridge, enabling less labor on the part of the photofinisher, less biocide usage than conventional dosing systems and a reduction in the potential discharge of biocide to the environment. Another example is the Kodak SR-2000 silver recovery unit, which reduces discharges and requires less labor, yet recovers silver to consistently lower levels than traditional technologies.