The use of selective ion exchange to recover metals from the rinsewaters of various plating baths has been studied. Two chelating resins possessing aminophosphonate or iminodiacetic functionalities were compared in nickel- and cadmium-bearing rinsewaters. In addition, an inorganic ion exchanger based on sodium titanate was studied against nickel containing rinsewaters. Breakthrough capacities of 5% and decontamination factors were calculated from column tests. The aminophosphonate resin proved to be the best material for both nickel and cadmium recovery. Ammonium nitrate was observed to enhance the adsorption performance of the aminophosphonate resin.