Secure Dumpster Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program

Secure Dumpster is the environmental compliance program of the Secure Structure Alliance, a woman-led and service-disabled veteran–led 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on stormwater pollution prevention, SB-1383 compliance, and clean water protection.

Every year, millions of gallons of rainwater fall into open dumpsters across California and the United States, creating contaminated runoff that enters storm drains, rivers, lakes, and watershed ecosystems. This polluted liquid — known as leachate — contains trash residue, organics, oils, chemicals, and bacteria that violate Clean Water Act (CWA) regulations and city stormwater standards.

Secure Dumpster™ provides a turnkey engineered retrofit solution that stops pollution at the source by installing steel dumpster lids, rainproof dumpster roof systems, and high-wind hardware designed for long-term stormwater protection.

Stormwater Pollution Problem: Why Open Dumpsters Violate SB-1383 & Clean Water Regulations

Open or broken dumpster lids lead to:

Stormwater contamination during rain
Leachate runoff entering municipal storm drains
SB-1383 lid-closure violations
Clean Water Act (CWA) noncompliance
SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) failures
Overflowing trash & public health hazards
Higher city enforcement and cleanup costs
Increased pests, odors, and property damage

Dumpsters are one of the most overlooked sources of urban stormwater pollution, and cities often lack the resources to enforce or retrofit them.

Secure Dumpster™ — Engineered Stormwater Compliance System

Our engineered system includes:

✔ Powder-Coated Steel Dumpster Lids

Strong, durable, pest-resistant, and wind-proof.

✔ Dumpster Roof Systems / Rain Shields

Prevents all rainwater intrusion, eliminating leachate.

✔ High-Wind, Anti-Tamper Hardware

Compliant with high-wind zones & extreme weather.

✔ Optional Enclosure Upgrades

Steel side panels, gate reinforcements & lock systems.

✔ Environmental Impact Dashboard

Each retrofit includes a unique QR code showing pollution prevented.

All components are manufactured by Steel Building USA — an EDWOSB, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran–led American manufacturing partner.

Benefits for Cities, Property Owners & Businesses

Environmental Benefits

Prevents stormwater contamination
Improves watershed protection
Reduces bacteria, chemicals & oils entering waterways
Supports sustainability and ESG goals

Regulatory Compliance Benefits

Supports SB-1383 requirements
Prevents Clean Water Act exposure
Strengthens SWPPP compliance
Reduces inspection failures

Operational Benefits

Cleaner commercial centers
Fewer complaints
Reduced illegal dumping
Lower cleanup & enforcement costs

Zero-Cost Funding Option: Adopt-A-Dumpster™

Secure Dumpster™ upgrades can be fully funded by community sponsors, including:

Local businesses
Corporations
Nonprofits
Residents
Environmental partners

Sponsors receive:

Branded recognition signage
QR-coded impact metrics
CSR/ESG reporting benefits
Tax-deductible contributions

This allows cities to achieve zero-cost stormwater compliance, while community members support environmental protection.

Why Secure Structure Alliance Leads This Work

SSA brings together:

Environmental engineering
Stormwater compliance expertise
Manufacturing capability
Public education (SB-1383, SWPPP, pollution prevention)
A mission-driven nonprofit model
Hazard-resistant materials knowledge (steel vs. lumber)

This combination makes us the only nonprofit in the nation offering an end-to-end dumpster stormwater protection program with community sponsorship capability.

Get Involved or Launch a Pilot in Your City

Retrofit your property
Sponsor a location
Launch a citywide pilot
Request a free site assessment
Bring Secure Dumpster™ to your business corridor

→ Contact us to start reducing stormwater pollution today.