City Begins Bear Smart Community Dumpster Pilot Project
By City of Castlegar
The City of Castlegar now has two communal bear-proof garbage bins for public use.
The bins are part of a pilot project intended to minimize human-bear conflict and give residents an option for household garbage disposal between bi-weekly collection.
“We know bi-weekly collection during the summer months can be a challenge for some residents,” says Tracey Butler, Director of Corporate Services. “We’re happy to provide this option after working closely with the Conservation Officer Service and WildsafeBC to prioritize secure storage and disposal of garbage in the community, preventing unnecessary, costly, and potentially dangerous human-bear conflict.”
USING THE BINS
The dumpsters are bear-resistant with self-latching lids that only allow for smaller bags of household waste to be disposed of at any time. The bins are best suited for residents that have overflowing carts or cannot keep their household cart inaccessible to wildlife.
The bins do not accommodate larger items such as construction debris fridges, mattresses, etc. and the City asks that people take these items to the appropriate disposal location to ensure the success of this pilot project. Find more information on disposing of these materials at
1-800-667-4321 or www.rcbc.ca.
BIN LOCATIONS
Pioneer Arena – 925 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar Industrial Park, on road to Civic Works office – 4500 Minto Road
Compared to weekly curbside collection, the community dumpsters are an effective and cost-efficient option for keeping garbage inaccessible to wildlife during the summer months. The pilot project runs until late November to coincide with the active bear season.
The City of Castlegar is a service centre in the West Kootenay. The diversified and growing economy is focused on the forestry, energy and mining sectors in the valley, and commercial services in the City. Quality of life features backcountry adventure and an increasingly dynamic urban culture, including the Millennium Park & Ponds and Sculpture Walk.
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