For more than 70 years, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have been using the plastic explosive Composition C-4 based mainly on the explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) for various operational needs. Composition C-4 is used as donor charge for the blow-in-place destruction of unexploded ordnance (UXO) by Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and, as well, mostly used as a demolition explosive by engineering units. RDX is very stable in the environment, somewhat water-soluble and moves relatively rapidly towards surface and groundwater bodies in Ranges and Training Areas (RTA). It is the key contaminant that triggered the closure of a major RTA in the USA and the use of C-4 was proven to contribute to its accumulation in demolition ranges. A study was conducted to measure the deposition of RDX generated from the use of Canadian C-4 blocks and two shaped charges for comparison purposes, as the shaped charge represents a possible alternative for C-4 as a donor charge in blow-in-place operations. The shaped charges studied were the Excalibur and two diameters of the SM-EOD suite from SAAB Bofors. These shaped charges were selected for their potential to destroy UXOs. The Excalibur shaped charge led to RDX deposition rates similar to those observed with C-4 blocks, whereas the SM-EOD showed forensic traces of RDX. Based on these results, SM-EOD shaped charges provide a possible alternative to using C-4 for blow-in-place (BIP) operations, as they generate only small quantities of critical contaminants (such as RDX). By eliminating the contamination from the donor charge, the BIP operation will necessarily be improved and cleaner.