Waste Reduction for Electroless Nickel Plating Solutions at U.S. Army Depots

Waste minimization is one of the most pressing environmental issues currently facing U.S. Army depots. The U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency (USATHAMA) conducts research and development to support Army depots in implementing technologies to reduce waste generation. The Joint Depot Environmental Panel (JDEP) identified electroless nickel (EN) plating, which is currently used at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), Red River Army Depot (RRAD), and Sacramento Army Depot (SAAD) as a target for waste minimization research. This report presents the results of an evaluation conducted by USA regarding minimizing waste from EN-plating operations. The objective of this evaluation was to formulate recommendations for depots regarding implementation of waste minimization technologies. This evaluation was performed through site visits, a literature search, and discussions with vendors of EN processes and decontamination technologies.