Help prevent wildlife conflicts at the curb with careful waste management

Preventing wildlife conflicts starts at the curb by properly managing attractants, especially household garbage. At this time of year, bears emerge from hibernation and are searching for food. Unsecured garbage, bird feeders and pet food can draw bears into urban neighbourhoods and increase the risk of conflict with humans and pets.

“Don’t let your waste management habits lead a bear into your neighbourhood,” said Cynthia Coates, RDCO solid waste services supervisor. “Garbage is the most common bear attractant. By keeping it stored indoors until collection morning, residents can reduce the risk of bears or other wildlife getting into carts and becoming a nuisance.”

Residents should store waste securely and place carts at the curb on the morning of collection, not the night before.

“Bears and other wildlife have a remarkable sense of smell,” Coates said. “If they are rewarded with a food source, they can become food-conditioned and return, putting people and animals at risk. This is preventable.”

WildSafeBC reinforces these tips, emphasizing the importance of removing unintended food sources. This includes taking down bird feeders during bear season, cleaning barbecues after each use, keeping pet food indoors and managing fruit trees so fallen fruit doesn’t attract wildlife.

We can all prevent wildlife conflicts in our communities by:

• Put garbage out on collection day only: never the night before.
• Secure garbage: store it indoors or in an enclosed shed.
• Clean recyclables: rinse before placing them in your cart.
• Freeze food waste until collection day.
• Maintain compost bins: never include meat, dairy, or cooked food.
• Remove bird feeders in the spring and replace them in the winter.
• Clean BBQ grills: burn off grills, clean grease traps, store equipment securely.
• Feed pets indoors: store food inside.
• Avoid storing food in outdoor fridges and freezers.

Local Solid Waste Management bylaws state garbage, yard waste and recyclables must only be put out between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.

Under the BC Wildlife Act, it is an offence to intentionally or unintentionally feed or attract dangerous wildlife (bears, cougars, coyotes, wolves) and Conservation Officers will take enforcement action as warranted. 

Residents can report human-bear conflicts, aggressive bear behaviour or the feeding of dangerous wildlife to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1.877.952.7277.

For more information on reducing human-wildfire conflict, visit rdco.com/wildlife-awareness.