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 and other sensitive materials (such as counterfeit goods, illegal narcotics, unauthorized military gear, and classified materials). The systems would be deployable to support border security, narcotics interdiction, and the general elimination of contraband, and could be shared with military installations, forward operating bases, and partner security forces as needed. The bill also bars the use of open-air burn pits for disposing of illicit contraband, classified materials, or hazardous waste. A specific funding change accompanies the bill: $8.95 million would be added to Army Other Procurement (FY2026) to fund these disposal systems, offset by a $8.95 million reduction in Overseas Operations and Maintenance funding, sourced from open-air burn pit expenditures in contingency operations.
Key Points
- 1Authorizes the Department of Defense to use expeditionary solid waste disposal systems to destroy illicit contraband, including counterfeit materials, illegal narcotics, unauthorized military gear, and classified materials.
- 2Systems must be capable of supporting border security, narcotics interdiction, and contraband elimination, and may be deployed to military installations, forward operating bases, and partner security forces as needed.
- 3Prohibits the use of open-air burn pits for disposing of illicit contraband, classified military equipment, or hazardous waste materials.
- 4Provides FY2026 funding: +$8.95 million for Army Other Procurement (through solid waste disposal systems) with an offset of -$8.95 million in Overseas Operations and Maintenance for the same purpose.
- 5Offsetting funds come from reducing open-air burn pit expenditures in contingency operations.