I know x-ray film has value but does 16mm film

As someone who successfully recycled and scrapped film I can answer your question. Answer: probably not. The only film that has scrap value is black and white film. It has silver in the emulsion. Color film does not. It is worthless as scrap. To recover the silver the film must be sent to a facility that can do it chemically. Naturally, they want their cut. You can do it yourself by burning it and shipping the ashes to somebody who can process them further. But the shipping cost probably equals the silver value these days. Black and white film is so rare now that it is unlikely that you would find enough to warrant the attempt. BTW, this applies to 35mm and 8mm film as well, width being immaterial.



At one time the films, color and b&w alike, could be recycled for CONTENT. Before dvds, file sharing and vcrs, there were people who collected films. There still are but very, very few. When you can buy a dvd of a Hollywood movie for 99 cents at Amazon a film copy has only novelty appeal.

Some other points: Alot of old film is still on reels. Old metal reels are worth more as collectors items than as scrap metal. Plastic reels, being newer and less "classic" are not worth as much. Some professional reels, mostly 35mm size, are aluminum. I've sold these reels for 25.00 each at times. Others have done even better. People hang 'em on the wall and think they look cool. Home movies, that is films made by individuals as opposed to professional movies, are worth something as "stock footage" and even amature 8mm films have potential value. In any case, most films would be worth more as novelty collector items than scrap. Acetate film can be burned for heat, just like firewood. It burns about as hot as pine. What the EPA would say about the emissions is another consideration. Really old 35mm film, made before 1950 is probably nitrate base film, extremely flammable, highly dangerous and possibly unstable after all these years. 8mm and 16mm film have always been acetate base. After 1985 most 35mm film has had a mylar base. Now that film has been essentially eliminated as an exhibition format perhaps a reel of film will have some nostalgic or antique value but I doubt if film will be that scarce for years.