Waste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act
The Waste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act would authorize the Department of Defense to use expeditionary solid waste disposal systems to destroy illicit contraband, including seized counterfeit materials, unauthorized military gear, illegal narcotics, and classified materials. The systems would be designed to support border security, narcotics interdiction, and the elimination of contraband, and would be available to military installations, forward operating bases, and partner security forces as needed to counter infiltration and the unauthorized use of U.S. military assets. The bill also prohibits the use of open-air burn pits for disposing of illicit contraband, classified materials, or hazardous waste. To fund these capabilities, the Act would provide a one-year FY2026 funding increase of $8.95 million for Army procurement of solid waste disposal systems, offset by a $8.95 million reduction in Overseas Operating Costs within the Army’s O&M accounts, with the offset drawn from open-air burn pit expenses in contingency operations.
Key Points
- 1Authorization for the Secretary of Defense to deploy expeditionary solid waste disposal systems to destroy illicit contraband, counterfeit materials, unauthorized military gear, illegal narcotics, and classified materials.
- 2Systems must be capable of supporting border security, narcotics interdiction, and contraband elimination, and available to installations, forward operating bases, and partner security forces as needed.
- 3Prohibition on using open-air burn pits for disposing of illicit contraband, classified materials, or hazardous waste.
- 4FY2026 funding of $8.95 million, routed through the Department of Defense’s procurement accounts, to acquire solid waste disposal systems.
- 5Budget offset: the $8.95 million increase is balanced by a $8.95 million reduction in Army O&M, Overseas Operating Costs, with the offset coming from open-air burn pit expenditures in contingency operations.