Dumpster maintenance
Close It, Every Time.
Fewer pests. Less odor. Cleaner businesses.
Keeping dumpster lids closed is a simple step that keeps your business cleaner, cuts down on odors, helps prevent pests and protects local waterways. When dumpster lids are left open, rainwater can mix with trash to create polluted runoff, sometimes called “dumpster juice.” That polluted water can spill onto your property and flow into storm drains that lead to local streams and rivers.
Closing the lid after every use helps keep your property clean and our waterways healthy.
Why It Matters
Closing the lid every time helps:
- Reduce odors
- Deter pests
- Keep dumpster areas cleaner
- Protect water quality in our community
- Make it easier for your hauler to pick up
Keep It Closed, Clean and Contained
A few simple practices can help keep your dumpster area clean and prevent pollution.
Close
Bad: Rainwater can get inside to erode this dumpster and carry litter to the storm drain.
Close dumpster lids after every use and make sure they can shut completely. Avoid
overfilling dumpsters, and report broken or damaged lids.
Clean
Good: Sweep up and bag litter and sources of pollution.
Keep the area around your dumpster free of trash, spills and debris. Sweep up litter
instead of washing it into the street or a storm drain. Clean up spills promptly and
properly dispose of hazardous materials (paint, pesticides, solvents etc.) so they
don't pile up
Contain
Bad: This dumpster is leaking pollution and has no lid.
Keep all trash and waste inside the dumpster. Bag waste when appropriate and make sure liquids do not leak from the dumpster. Never pour liquids, grease, chemicals or other waste into a dumpster or storm drain. If your dumpster is leaking or regularly overflowing, request service.
Cover
When possible, keep dumpsters and compactors under cover to prevent rainwater
from mixing with waste.
Running Into Issues With Your Dumpster?
Contact Waste Connections to report an issue, request service, ask a question or get additional support.
- 360.892.5370
- customerservice2010@wcnx.org
Remember: Close It, Every Time.
Keeping your dumpster lid closed is one small action that can mean fewer pests, less odor, a cleaner business and cleaner local waterways. For more information about preventing pollution at your business, explore Stormwater Partners’ business resources.