Residents throughout Campbell River and the Comox Valley are being reminded to keep garbage, organics and other attractants away from bears actively searching for food before winter.

Campbell River, Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland all advise residents to store waste securely and wait until collection morning before placing containers at the curb.

Campbell River’s Recycling, Organics and Garbage Regulations Bylaw specifically requires curbside containers to be placed beside the road on collection day by 7:30 a.m.—not the night before.

Containers must be removed from the collection location by 8 p.m. that evening. If collection is delayed, residents must bring their containers back in and return them to the curb on the rescheduled collection day.

Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland provide similar guidance, asking residents to keep garbage and organics secure until collection morning and bring containers back promptly after pickup.

Bins containing food scraps and other attractants should be tightly covered with secure, watertight lids and stored where wildlife, domestic animals, birds, rodents and other pests cannot reach them.

Residents can further reduce odours by cleaning their containers regularly and freezing food waste between collection days. Ripe fruit should be picked promptly, while fallen fruit should be removed from beneath trees.

Pet food, birdseed and other possible food sources should also be kept indoors or stored securely.

When bears gain access to garbage or food waste, they can become conditioned to return to residential areas for another meal. That can increase the risk of encounters with people and pets—and may ultimately result in the animal being destroyed.

Officials say small actions by individual households can help keep neighbourhoods clean, reduce human-wildlife conflicts and allow bears to remain wild.

Visit City of Campbell River to learn more about reducing wildlife conflicts and to read the Recycling, Organics and Garbage Regulations Bylaw.