Topic: Recycling empty film canisters

[Francois]

I was wondering about something lately:
has anyone ever tried to recycle empty 35 metal film canisters from commercial film makers like Kodak to re-load bulk film?
I know you can't open them without damaging them because their tops are either welded or crimped but my local lab doesn't open them at all to process the film. They use a film extractor to do this. Their processing machine leaves a small piece of film out when it cuts the film free.

I was thinking about attaching some bulk film to this "leader" using scotch tape... but has anyone ever tried to do this is my question. And if so, was it a success?

Reloadable film cans sell for 1.50$ a piece around here... but I could probably get the recycled ones by the bagful for free from my local lab.

[Heather]

Yeah it's pretty common in some circles. The people over on that other board say they only use them once and then throw them out in case the felt traps get dirt in them.