Garbage & bins.
Garbage is the most common bear attractant in our community.
A bear that gets access to garbage receives a very high-calorie food reward and may return repeatedly to the same property or neighbourhood. The goal is simple: make sure a bear never gets rewarded at your home.
Revelstoke bylaw
Revelstoke’s Garbage Collection and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 2178 (2017) is a bylaw that describes the collection, removal and disposal of garbage, and requires citizens to manage wildlife attractants.
Where should I store my garbage?
1.
BEST: Inside a secure building
Store garbage in your house, garage, or a sturdy shed with a door that closes and locks securely. A carport, open-sided structure, or flimsy shed won’t keep bears out. This is consistent with the guidance already on the RBAS page.
2.
GOOD: In a certified bear-resistant storage container
If you don’t have secure indoor storage, use a certified bear-resistant container or enclosure to store garbage between collection days. Keep it properly closed and locked.
3.
IF YOUR CARTS MUST BE STORED OUTSIDE: Secure and anchor them
Bear-resistant carts work best when bears can’t tip them over, drag them away, or repeatedly manipulate them. Secure outdoor carts to a fixed, immovable structure using an appropriate anchoring system.
Anchor System Options
If you must store your garbage carts outside, secure them so a bear cannot tip them over, drag them away, or gain leverage to work the lid. Choose an anchoring system appropriate for your property.
Chain/Cable
Post and Chain
U-bracket system
A U-bracket system provides a clean, permanent option for carts stored against a wall, fence, or other solid structure. Heavy-duty brackets mount at the same height as the cart handles. The cart handles slot directly into the brackets and secure with a screw, bolt, or drop-pin locking mechanism. You can purchase or custom-fabricate the brackets, but they must be firmly attached to a structure capable of handling significant force.
Bear-resistant storage box or enclosure
If you don’t have a garage or secure shed, a certified bear-resistant storage container, such as a TuffBox, provides another option. Store household garbage inside the locked container between collection days, then transfer it into your collection cart on collection morning. This is particularly useful for properties without an appropriate structure for anchoring carts.
Electric Fencing
For properties with several attractants in one location, electric fencing may be a better solution than securing each item individually. A properly installed electric fence can protect a garbage storage area, shed, compost area, chicken coop, or other enclosure.
BE BEAR AWARE
Top Tip
Freeze smelly garbage until collection day
If you have the space to do so, a simple way to reduce odours is to place any smelly food articles in a zippy bag and freeze it until garbage day.
Is my garbage container bear-resistant?
Want to know if your garbage is secure? Find out more on what is,
and what is not bear-resistant.
Shop bear-resistant containers.
If your neighbours are doing a poor job of managing bear attractants and you are uncomfortable speaking to them about it, the Revelstoke Bear Aware Coordinator will speak to them for you. Call 250-837-8624.
Bears are driven by their stomachs.
Bears must eat to survive, just like the rest of us, but why are they so active at certain times of the year?
An enormous amount of energy is stored in fat over the summer and fall months so that a bear can survive a winter without eating. Hibernating bears can lose as much as 25-30% of their body weight over the winter. As a result, bears become increasingly active in their search for food as summer wanes and fall approaches. Their keen sense of smell allows them to identify potential food sources from considerable distances.
When hungry bears come into town, they shouldn’t find attractive smells or food. We want them to continue on their way and not linger in our neighbourhoods. Becoming Bear Aware is not difficult. A small change in your behaviour and habits requires little effort but produces large benefits.
Learn more about bear biology.
More to discover:
BE BEAR AWARE
Living in bear country
Discover how to keep our community safe and Revelstoke’s bears wild.
TAKE ACTION
Get involved
Make a difference locally when you volunteer, donate or become a member.
SIGHTINGS
Reporting a bear
Find out who to inform and what information to share when you spot a bear..
