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Changes to Garbage Rules Protect Safety of Community and Bears
Effective August 4, 2009, Port Coquitlam's Solid Waste Bylaw will require residents and businesses in known problem areas to secure their garbage and other bear and wildlife attractants. The changes are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to address the community’s escalating bear problem, which saw nine bears killed in Port Coquitlam in 2008 because they became habituated to human food sources such as garbage and fallen fruit. From May to July 15, 2009, more than 125 bears were spotted in Port Coquitlam, one bear was killed and three more were relocated.
The bylaw changes place more responsibility on individuals for ensuring their property does not attract bears and other wildlife, including coyotes, wolves, cougars, raccoons and skunks. The changes will apply year-round to all residents and businesses – not just those receiving City pickup – within neighbourhoods known to attract bears (scroll down for map of enforcement area).
Understanding the New Rules
There are three new steps to follow:
- Secure your garbage and green waste -- either by storing your waste containers in your garage or other secure enclosure OR by installing a Bear Aware™ endorsed latching device (such as Critter Guard™)
- Only set out your garbage and green waste carts on collection day -- no earlier than 5:30 am and no later then 7:30 am; if you have a latching device, be sure to unlatch it
- Resecure your garbage and green waste - no later than 7 pm on collection day
The changes to the bylaw require residents and businesses within the enforcement area (map below) to secure all wildlife attractants, such as garbage or kitchen waste, in either:
- a wildlife-resistant enclosure (fully enclosed – such as a garage or garden shed – and strong enough or designed to prevent access by bears or other wildlife), or
- a wildlife-resistant container (strong enough or designed to prevent access by bears or other wildlife). For residents who receive City collection, this means locking the carts with a Bear Aware™ approved latch.
In addition to garbage and kitchen waste, wildlife attractants include food products, beverage containers, barbecue grills, compost (in piles, not composters), pet food, bird feed, diapers, grease barrels, petroleum products and chemical products.
Other bylaw changes that apply to the targeted areas include:
- owners of fruit trees must immediately remove fallen fruit and pick fruit upon ripening,
- beehives, bird feeders and petroleum products (i.e. grease and motor oil) must be inaccessible to wildlife,
- outdoor refrigerators or freezers must be securely locked or inaccessible to wildlife, and
- wildlife attractants may not be put into compost piles.
What do I need to do to make my waste container wildlife-resistant?
Please note that if you are able to store your cart in a garage or other secure enclosure, you do not need to do anything to your waste container.
If you are unable to store your carts in your garage or other secure enclosure, then residents who receive City collection services are required to install a Bear Aware™ endorsed latching device on both their garbage and green waste carts.
Currently, the only Bear Aware™ endorsed latching device for the City's waste collection carts is Critter Guard™. To have the Critter Guard device installed on your cart, contact the company directly at 604.992.5353 or to order Critter Guard call 778.789.1854. The cost of the latching device is $75 (includes installation.)
Again, please note that if you are able to secure your cart(s) in your garage or other secure enclosure, such as a shed, a latching device is not required.
If you receive private collection services and are unable to secure your garbage in a garage or other secure enclosure, please visit the Bear Aware website to get more information on Bear Aware™ endorsed waste containers.
Who is affected by the new rules?
The targeted area for the new rules is based on bear sightings recorded in 2008 and bear activity reported to date.
View Bear Enforcement Area in a larger map
Enforcement will initially focus on education and awareness, with the initial contact with property owners being a visit from City staff to provide information and advice on how to comply with the bylaw. Fines will only be applied in cases of ongoing non-compliance.
Residents who are concerned about their ability to comply with the bylaw are encouraged to contact the City’s Operations Division at 604.927.5488 or 604.927.5496, or operations@portcoquitlam.ca .
Why are the bylaw amendments and new rules necessary?
The changes are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to address the community’s escalating bear problem, which saw nine bears killed in Port Coquitlam in 2008 because they became habituated to human food sources such as garbage and fallen fruit. From May to July 15, 2009, more than 125 bears were spotted in Port Coquitlam, one bear was killed and three more were relocated.
The bylaw changes fulfill a provincial requirement for Bear Smart Community status, which recognizes communities that are proactive about managing human/bear conflicts. The City has also implemented a Bear Aware™ program this year and has conducted public education campaigns throughout bear season for several years.
What else can you do to be 'bear aware'?
Other bear-deterring ideas include:
- Wrap up smellier garbage items in newspaper and freeze them until garbage day.
- Sprinkle lime inside backyard composters to deter bears.
- Never approach, interact or feed bears.
Find out more at:
Key Contacts
Bear Sightings - 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) (the BC Conservation Office)
Engineering Operations / New Solid Waste Regulations - 604-927-5496
General Bear Management (The City's Vector Control Office) - 604-927-5447
Bylaw Enforcement - 604.927.5440 or bylawservices@portcoquitlam.ca
City Waste Collection Services - 604.927.5496 or 604.927.5488 or operations@portcoquitlam.ca
Bears that are an IMMEDIATE THREAT - 911 (RCMP)
Critter Guard Installer - 604.992.5353
Critter Guard Order line - 778.789.1854
