Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical Systems

Executive Summary

Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical Systems (LMAS) has been actively incorporating pollution prevention into their everyday operations in accordance with Air Force, Lockheed-Martin corporate, Executive Order, and federal and state policies, goals and directives. OSHA's stringent industrial hygiene controls on some key aerospace materials, and RCRA's requirement for facilities to have P2 programs in place, facilitate P2 implementation within LMAS. Also, the fact that Lockheed-Martin's largest customer, the United States Air Force, had banned purchases of ozone depleting compounds (ODCs) in Jan 1993 and had adopted policies which incorporate P2 up front in the acquisition process, compelled Lockheed-Martin to become a forerunner in P2 implementation. Now, pollution prevention program priorities at LMAS emphasize protection of employees, the community and the environment, while maintaining product quality and business objectives.

Introduction

Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical Systems is one of 16 major operating companies of Lockheed Martin Corporation, known for the design, development, and production of airlifts (C-130 & L-100 Hercules, C-141 Starlifter & C-5 Galaxy) as well as the new stealth fighter jet, F-22 Raptor. Air Force Plant No. 6 is a federally-owned facility operated by LMAS. LMAS covers 918 acres adjacent to Dobbins ARB (owns 163 acres, leases 755 acres).

Specific P2 Initiatives

LMAS's P2 goal focuses on the reduction of TRI emissions (liquid, solid, and gaseous waste) by 30% of 1988 baseline by 1993 (achieved), by 50% of 1988 baseline by 1995 (achieved), and by 20% of 1996 baseline by 1998. In order to achieve these goals, LMAS has implemented several P2 opportunities in the areas of product substitution, emission reduction, wastewater reduction, and hazardous waste disposal reduction. Several additional opportunities are still in the research and testing phases. P2 implementation includes:

Chemical replacements

• 1,1,1 - trichloroethane (TCA)[used for fuel tank cleaning] replacement with aqueous parts cleaners
• trichloroethylene (TCE) [used for vapor degreasing] replacement with aqueous parts cleaners
• perchloroethylene (PCE) [used for hand wipe cleaning and immersion cleaning] replacement with aqueous alternatives
• glycol ethers [multiple uses] replacement
• CFC-113 [used for electronics cleaning and oxygen tube cleaning] replacement
• chromium compounds replacement in deoxidizers / desmutters
• methylene chloride replacement in parting agents and immersion cleaning

Painting Improvements - HVLP paint guns; use of low VOC paints where possible; collection/recycling/reuse of solvents used in painting equipment cleaners; high efficiency painting equipment; restrict quantity purchases of dated paint.

Other P2 Measures - control of small volume solvent usage; low-VOC wipe and immersion cleaners; replacement of vapor degreasers with aqueous cleaners; water reuse/conservation; improved control of process baths; reduced rinsewater usage (centrifuge systems); oily waste recycling; machine coolant recycling and lubricant collection; recycle third level treatment plant effluent; identify low-liability uses for outdated materials; battery recycling; eliminate the use of Class I ODCs in production; expand non-hazardous waste recycling to include cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics, fluorescent lamps, wood, and low grade paper.

Pollution Prevention Program

Company and corporate policies promote protection of the environment/community within LMAS. The Corporate Environment, Safety and Health (EHS) office promotes P2 in staff functions and written procedures, and sponsors a P2 Task Force, the Environmental Technologies Task Force (ETTF), which was formed in 1993 to facilitate environmental technology transfer and P2 expertise across the corporation and to minimize the cost of innovation between companies. ETTF's initial goal was elimination of ODCs and 33/50 chemicals from manufacturing. Now ETTF leverages environmental technology expertise with customers through the DoD Joint Group on Acquisition Pollution Prevention (JGAPP) and their engineering process specification "Hazardous Material Reduction". LMAS achieves cost savings by: substitution of environmentally-preferred materials in areas of waste management, reduced liability in terms of worker exposure, reduced personal protective equipment needs, and reduced training/education needs for employees handlig hazardous materials. LMAS has established a P2 committee that leads P2 efforts within the company. This committee is composed of members representing materials & processing, advanced design, methods engineering, public relations, materials management, legal counsel, maintenance, and program control. The committee tracks progress of P2 projects, provides a discussion forum for new P2 opportunities, and serves to disseminate info about P2 throughout the company. LMAS has also established two other groups: the Materials and Processes Organization, which maintains specifications for material usage in manufacturing and oversees testing of proposed substitute materials; and the Hazardous Material Review Board, which controls the use of hazardous materials at the facility and is responsible for reviewing all hazardous materials currently in use and for approving first-time acquisition of hazardous materials. The HMRB makes recommendations regarding hazardous material elimination, substitution, disposal, and consolidation.

Awards

LMAS has achieved EPA and State awards for their P2 activities, including:

• The 1996 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award (EPA)
• The prestigious 1997 Governor's Pollution Prevention Partners (P3) Recognition Program - "Model Level" company (State)
• The 1997 "Best of the Best" Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award (EPA)