April 1 marks the start of Bear Smart season, and the City is reminding residents that unmanaged attractants can unintentionally attract hungry bears into neighbourhoods.
“The most common bear attractant is mismanaged solid waste. Unsecured solid waste carts are an easy food source for bears,” explained Danielle Sparks, the City’s Environmental Services Supervisor.
The City is implementing an optional bear-resistant solid waste cart program to help residents manage their solid waste. These carts may be of particular interest to residents who live in neighbourhoods adjacent to wildlife corridors where bear sightings are more frequent.
“Bear-resistant carts are an effective deterrent when used properly. Carts have a reinforced lid with two carabiner-style clips, making it difficult for bears and other wildlife to access the contents. When not at the curb for collection, carts should be stored with the lid securely fastened, either in an enclosed structure or secured to a stationary object,” said Sparks, adding that residents are responsible for unclipping the lid on collection day.
Requests for bear-resistant carts are now being accepted. These carts are available for organics carts and two sizes of garbage carts for an additional $20 per cart per year.
As a designated Bear Smart Community, the City continually works to address the causes of human-bear conflict to help keep the community and the local bear population safe.
“By offering bear-resistant carts as an option, we’re providing one more tool for residents to help prevent human-bear interactions,” said Sparks.
Available Cart Sizes and Fees for Bear-Resistant Solid Waste Carts
| Size | Annual Collection Fee | Annual Lease | Bear-Resistant Cart Lease Fee | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garbage 120 L | $78.00 | $7.00 | $20.00 | $105.00 |
| Garbage 245 L | $174.00 | $10.00 | $20.00 | $204.00 |
| Organics 120 L | $12.00 | $0.00 | $20.00 | $32.00 |
For a current list of all solid waste cart sizes and costs, visit Kamloops.ca/CollectionRates.
In alignment with the program launch, updated language in the Solid Waste, Recyclables, and Organics Bylaw clarifies resident responsibilities around managing wildlife attractants and using bear-resistant carts:
- Residents must ensure that solid waste carts are stored securely and made inaccessible to wildlife.
- Between April 1 and November 30, carts must not be placed at the curb earlier than 4:00 am on collection day and must be removed from the curb no later than 7:00 pm on collection day year-round.
- No property owner or occupier shall accumulate, store, or collect any wildlife attractants unless stored in an enclosed structure or securely fastened bear-resistant cart.
- Residents must ensure lids of bear-resistant carts are securely fastened when carts are not set at the curb for collection.
- Residents must ensure clips on bear-resistant carts are unfastened by 7:00 am on collection day and refastened by 7:00 pm on collection day.
- Infractions may result in a $100 fine.
To Request a Bear-Resistant Solid Waste Cart
- Call 250-828-3461 or email civicoperations@kamloops.ca.
- Requests will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Carts will be swapped out on a future collection day (the length of time to receive carts may vary). Residents receiving carts will be notified of their cart swap date in advance.
Note:
- Only registered homeowners are permitted to make cart change requests.
- 120 L bear-resistant carts are not available for residents with laneway collection due to incompatibility with collection trucks used in laneways.
- View an instructional video on how to use a bear-resistant solid waste cart at Kamloops.ca/BearCarts.
Bear Smart Tips
- Properly manage your solid waste. If possible, store meat and strong-smelling food scraps in the freezer or in an airtight container and transfer them to your cart on collection day.
- Keep pet food and containers indoors.
- Keep your BBQ clean.
- Remove bird feeders between May and November and clean up any spilled bird seed.
- Pick fruit trees as soon as fruit ripens.
- Manage backyard composters properly. Do not compost meats, greases, and dairy.
To learn more visit Kamloops.ca/BearSmart.
