According to the Department of Justice, approximately 62% of all seizures have been firearms, ammunition and explosives. That percentage has been steadily growing with an increased law enforcement emphasis on stopping violent crime. Firearms and ammunition now comprise at least 68% of all assets seized (based on 2018 data from www.justice.gov).

State and federal law enforcement and the Department of Defense (DOD) consistently need to destroy outdated and unwanted small arms ammunition. The DOD is the largest consumer and stockpiler of small arms ammunition. Each year the DOD identifies millions of rounds of outdated and degraded small arms ammunition for destruction.

Historically, small arms ammunition has been destroyed through the use of thermal treatment in an incinerator or open-air burn pits that release toxic fumes and chemicals into the atmosphere.

Currently, the top three options for law enforcement to dispose of small-arm ammunition is by the use of open burns, open detonations or discarding into landfills nationwide.