PURPOSE: To treat an image holding member which can store images by one time of image exposing and is used for copying of many sheets in such a manner that the images are made illegible to prevent leakage of secrecy after use.

CONSTITUTION: This method for discarding the image holding member 1 consists of storing the images in the image holding member 1, which is constituted by forming an under coating layer 3 and a charge generating layer 4 at need on a base body 2 having a conductive surface and forming a thermally softening layer 5 contg. a charge transfer material and a thrmally softening resin thereon, then forming a particle layer 7 embedded with conductive particles near the surface thereof, and using this member to a continuous copying system, then heating the image holding member 1 having become unnecessary, adhering such member to unnecessary paper, etc., and discarding the material.