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Not all residents with bear bins using them correctly

Four hundred bins have been distributed but some are not getting locked properly
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Four hundred new bear resistant bins have been placed in Golden neighbourhoods, but not everyone is using them correctly. Photo Submitted

The busy wildlife season is just beginning, and the hope is that this year will be a slower one.

With the rollout of the new bear-resistant bins from the Town of Golden, WildSafeBC co-ordinator Sarah Osadetz is hopeful that the areas where the bins were distributed (areas that historically have seen a stronger wildlife presence), will see an improvement.

“This was the number one thing the Town could have done to reduce conflict,” she said. “But we’re noticing that people are forgetting to lock their bins during the week.”

Osadetz says that it is just about developing a new habit, and that she is available to the residents to show them how to lock the bins properly. The design has two carabiners, both of which need to be locked.

“There are some people who are forgetting to lock them, and some who are accidentally rolling them out to the curb still locked,” she said.

“I plan to go around and show people how to be locking them properly.”

The Town has a longterm plan with the bins, and in a matter of years all residents will have one. If the bins are used properly, then there will only be a six hour window at each home each week (from when the bins are rolled to the curb in the morning to when they are emptied), where there is insecure garbage.

Golden has had a late spring, which means that residents and businesses have had some time to get back into good habits. According to Osadetz, one of the busiest areas of town is already doing well.

“I have to give kudos to the downtown businesses,” she said.

“The garbage is at about 95 per cent locked up, which is just great.”

The Highway 1 corridor, however, is still having issues with businesses not storing their garbage properly. Given that the area is particularly busy bear corridor, it is especially important for those businesses to be securing any refuse.

“I’m going to be visiting the business owners to talk about options for keeping their garbage out of reach of wildlife,” said Osadetz. “It’s so important up there.”

WildSafeBC will also be continuing its education throughout the season. Osadetz will have a booth set up at the Farmers’ Markets as soon as they’re up and running. She will also have a bear-resistant bin at her booth so she can demonstrate how to properly use them.