Waste Management

Securing waste is one of the most important steps you can take to minimize negative human-bear encounters. Bears are always on the lookout for food, guided by their strong sense of smell and, unfortunately, will even eat things with little nutritional value. Once a bear gets a taste of human-generated refuse, it is more likely to approach communities and other developed areas in search of these non-natural food sources. This is dangerous to humans and never ends well for the bear.

Reducing bears’ access to a community’s waste requires a multi-tiered, multi-stakeholder approach. Securing waste needs to be tackled at all levels: at homes and businesses, in public spaces, and at collection and disposal sites. And waste in all forms—garbage, as well as recycling and compost—needs to be secured.

Working with your local waste haulers is an essential part of a community-wide approach. Certain factors in their operations will guide, and sometimes limit, the solutions available to your community (e.g., garbage truck specifications will limit the types of dumpsters and residential cans they can pick up, or employees may be required to follow certain protocols). Some residents and businesses may haul their waste to disposal sites themselves, even if a waste hauling service exists; make sure these individuals understand what bear-resistant options are available to them (more details are in the dropdowns below). It is also worthwhile to talk with neighboring communities who have already started the process of securing waste and with local bear managers as they will have an idea of what types of infrastructure work best in your area for both bears and people.

Because of the scope of transitioning to bear-resistant waste infrastructure, ensure there is a strong foundation established for your Bear Smart effort. If your community chooses to create a management plan, waste infrastructure will be an important component both for switching existing infrastructure to bear-resistant versions and plans for securing waste at future development from houses to landfills. Your community may also choose to pass ordinances or bylaws requiring bear-resistant storage of garbage.

Securing waste is one of the most expensive components of a Bear Smart Community effort. Look to our Fundraising Strategies page for more information.

Bear-Resistant Containers and Enclosures

Explore the dropdowns below to learn what “bear-resistant” means when it comes to containers and enclosures.

  • All public, residential, and commercial waste containers in bear country must be bear-resistant to the highest standard possible. There are multiple types of containers available, and some communities may choose to construct their own containers to keep costs down or create something that works best for their area.

    Keep in mind some products are more bear-resistant than others (e.g., bear-resistant residential carts are more likely to be breached by a bear than a metal locking dumpster).

    In order for a container to be bear-resistant, the materials used, including for hinges and latches, need to be able to hold up to a bear’s strength (if it can be dismantled using a crowbar, then it is likely not bear-resistant); there should not be any openings where a bear could use its claws to pry open the container; the container should be made from corrosion-resistant materials to ensure a long product life; and if the container is not stored indoors, it should be anchored to a solid, stationary base.

    Products should be tested and certified as bear-resistant by an independent group, like the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, or if black bears are the only species in an area and there is no possibility of grizzly bears expanding into the area, by the Wildlife Management Institute. These certifications are the easiest way to determine if a product is bear-resistant. Learn more on our Bear-Resistant Products page.

  • As an alternative to bear-resistant containers, enclosures can be a good option for storing cans, dumpsters, or other waste. In many cases, they eliminate the need for bear-resistant containers as the enclosure is the container. Enclosures can work well for apartment buildings or other communal waste systems, storing plastic bear-resistant containers outside of trash pickup days, storing non-bear-resistant containers, storing restaurant grease, and more. (If enclosures are being used in a public setting, ensure people know how to properly close them.)

    On a basic level, a locked shed or hard-sided building can serve as an enclosure. If you’re looking to build something specific, or want to determine if an enclosure is bear-resistant, keep these design elements in mind:

    • Enclosures should be constructed of durable, long-lasting materials, like metal or cement blocks, that bears can’t bite or claw their way through. Bears will search for gaps in a structure and use their claws to try to rip a larger hole.

    • Enclosures need to be closed on all sides—they need to have a door and a top. If an enclosure does not have a top, electrified wire should be added around the enclosure.

    • Ensure bears cannot dig under, squeeze under, or tip over enclosures (e.g., bolt enclosures to a concrete pad).

    • For doors or gates, ensure there is a latch or lock mechanism that cannot be opened by a bear (e.g., reached by a bear’s claws).

    You can find plans for a wildlife-resistant enclosure for commercial buildings and multi-family housing units in these guidelines (on page 37) from the District of Squamish, B.C.

    There are some certified bear-resistant enclosures available for purchase. Learn more on our Bear-Resistant Products page.

    Electric fencing can also be used to enclose many bear attractants.

    Remember that even when trash is enclosed or put away and inaccessible to a bear, it is still an attractant and can draw bears to it because of odors. If you store your trash in a building or enclosure, keep it well-contained to reduce odors and reduce the chance of it attracting a bear.

Securing Waste at Home, around Town, and at the Landfill

In the dropdown menus below, we dive into different types of waste you should secure—residential, commercial, public spaces, and disposal and collection sites—and how to do so.

  • A note on residential bear-resistant cans: If you are in charge of distributing bear-resistant cans to your community, make sure the locks on the cans work before handing them out. Cans occasionally have faulty locks. This is especially true if cans have been sitting outside for extended periods of time. If you’re having trouble with the locks, contact the company you purchased them from—some locks can be replaced, or the company can offer advice on how to repair the locks.

    Curbside Pickup

    If curbside pickup is offered in your community, residents should use certified bear-resistant garbage cans for all waste. Residential bear-resistant cans are offered from multiple brands in multiple sizes with multiple types of locks. Find bear-resistant containers for residential use listed on our Bear-Resistant Products page.

    There are a handful of important considerations with residential bear-resistant cans:

    Different cans have different types of locks. Some require a person to manually lock and unlock them, while others latch automatically when the lid is closed and then unlock automatically as they’re tipped by a truck. It is important to know the type of collection your community waste hauler uses (fully automated, semi-automated, or manual) as this will determine the type of container you can use. (Note that manually locking cans require either a) the trash hauler to lock and unlock the can when they empty it, which adds time and effort, or b) the resident to unlock the can when they place it on the curb, meaning bears will have a timeslot in which they can access the garbage, defeating the purpose of a locked can.)

    Bear-resistant cans are more expensive than traditional cans. And, like all cans, they will break down over time and need to be replaced. Usually, trash haulers will pass this increased cost on to customers via a small additional monthly or quarterly fee. The increased cost for cans is a sticking point in many communities. In areas where bear-resistant cans are not required, it can dissuade or prevent people from getting them. Be mindful of how increased cost can impact low-income communities; some communities offer financial assistance specifically for bear-resistant cans.

    These cans are bear “resistant,” not bear “proof.” If given enough time, a motivated bear can get into a locked can. The best practice is to store bear-resistant cans in a locked, hard-sided building or bear-resistant enclosure (see Enclosures above) until the morning of trash pickup.

    Education is key. Make sure residents know not to overfill cans and to always keep them locked.

    Self Haul

    If residents don’t use a pickup service, there are more options for how they can store their garbage.

    If using a bear-resistant can, it can have a manual lock instead of being fully or semi-automatic as is required for most pickup services. When it’s time to go to a collection site or transfer station, residents can put the can in their truck bed or on a trailer, or take bags of trash out of the can.

    Bear-resistant cans can often be purchased at local hardware stores (if not in stock, stores can order them for you). Find bear-resistant containers listed on our Bear-Resistant Products page.

    Again, bear-resistant cans are more expensive than traditional cans. Consider offering cost-share opportunities or create a rebate program in partnership with local retailers to reduce the cost to individuals and encourage residents to purchase cans.

    Enclosures are another good option for those who self-haul (see Enclosures above).

    Communal Waste Containers

    Consider eliminating curbside pickup services and individual household garbage cans and instead use communal waste containers or enclosures. This is an especially viable option for new residential developments to consider in the early stages of planning.

    Large dumpsters can be strategically placed within a one-block radius of any residence allowing for convenient disposal of waste. Large containers can be bear-resistant (learn more under Commercial Waste below), or containers can be placed in bear-resistant enclosures (see Enclosures above). Whatever the method, make sure residents know how to properly close containers and enclosures, and that containers are emptied regularly so they don’t become overfilled.

    The town of Canmore, Alberta implemented this system over a period of years in an effort to eliminate curbside collection and the issues associated with attracting bears into neighbourhoods.

  • Businesses should use bear-resistant garbage receptacles, especially those that have food waste like restaurants or grocery stores.

    Dumpsters and Large Bins

    There are some larger certified bear-resistant containers, like dumpsters, available for purchase. Find a list on our Bear-Resistant Products page. As with any bear-resistant container, coordinate with local trash haulers to determine which containers are compatible with their trucks.

    Make sure bear-resistant containers aren’t overfilled, especially considering these containers will be used by a higher volume of people. Include signage so people know how to properly lock containers.

    Dumpsters or containers placed in bear-resistant enclosures are another option (see Enclosures above). Just make sure people using the enclosure know how to properly close it.

    Restaurant Grease

    If used cooking oil is stored outside, make sure it is stored in a bear-resistant manner. If any grease is spilled, clean it up immediately. Regularly clean storage areas to remove any grease residue and odors (power washers and hot water work great).

    While there aren’t currently any certified bear-resistant containers specifically for grease, other containers can be used to store grease. Explore available bear-resistant containers on our Bear-Resistant Products page.

    Some individual communities have created their own grease storage systems that aren’t certified but work well. If designing your own container make sure all access points are closed and lockable to prevent a bear from scooping out oil with its paws, that it is made of a heavy-duty material like steel with no gaps where a bear can pry it open, and that it has a user-friendly locking mechanism.

    Make sure containers are bolted to a hard surface or secured in a way that a bear can’t tip them over.

    Bear-resistant enclosures are another good option for storing grease containers (see Enclosures above).

  • Garbage cans along streets, in parks, at trailheads, and anywhere else available for public use need to be bear-resistant because people will throw away bear attractants.

    There are several certified bear-resistant cans available to purchase. Find them on our Bear-Resistant Products page. These cans are usually made of metal, like those from BearSaver or Bear Guardian.

    Public use containers need to be bolted to a hard surface, like a concrete pad, so bears cannot tip them over.

    Add signage (stickers on the can work great) with instruction on how to open and close the can. While you may want to include information about why keeping garbage away from wildlife is important (and can, as this is a great educational opportunity), it’s more vital to feature information on how to use the can. Without it, people who are unfamiliar with these cans will leave garbage outside of them or leave lids propped open.

    If there are public spaces where events are often hosted, extra garbage storage may be needed. Bringing in wheeled bins typically used for individual households can be a good temporary option (see Residential Waste above), but ensure they are hauled away immediately following an event.

  • When it comes to securing green box sites, transfer stations, landfills, and other waste disposal sites, there are a couple of main options: electric fencing or closed container lids.

    When securing these sites, make sure surrounding properties are free of unsecured bear attractants (e.g., make sure nearby residents and businesses have bear-resistant garbage cans). When a site is secured, bears that previously visited the site can no longer get at a once-easy meal and will instead search the surrounding area for food.

    Electric Fencing

    If surrounding a site with an electric fence, keep the following in mind:

    • Check the fence perimeter regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. Use a fence tester to check voltage at multiple points along the fence, including gates. Remove vegetation, garbage, and other debris touching the wires.

    • Prevent bears from digging under the fence by extending fencing out from its base about one foot below the surface. Fill in spots bears have attempted to dig under the fence.

    • Add clear and abundant safety signage notifying people of the electrified fence.

    • Prevent bears from accessing the site through open gates. (Gates should also be electrified). A few options include:

      • Using automatic gates that open and close when the weight of a vehicle passes over the entrance.

      • Using electrified drive-over mats or electrified cattle grates.

      • Having a manned site, where someone is available to open and close the gate when people arrive. There is greater potential for people to dump waste outside of the site with this option, as they may want to use the site outside of operating hours.

    Closed Containers

    Containers can have closed, bear-resistant lids. Large, bear-resistant dumpsters are available for purchase (find a list on our Bear-Resistant Products page) and may be a good fit for some sites.

    People and Carnivores has experimented with using a hydraulic system operated by a button to open and close lids on containers. As with most methods, this requires clear signage to ensure people close the lids after each use. Learn more in this blog post.