Be bear aware with your curbside garbage, organics, and recycling collection

The BC Conservation Officer Service has informed the Township of Langley of recent reports of a bear accessing residents’ garbage, organics, and recyclables in Aldergrove, north of 32 Avenue. To reduce incidents related to this bear, we ask that people in the area keep in mind collection set-out and removal times, as required by Solid Waste Management Bylaw 2016 No. 5200 (the Bylaw), and consider other ways to reduce attractants:

• Set-out and removal times – the Bylaw requires residents to set out their receptacles by 7:30am on collection day, but no earlier than 8:00pm the night before collection. The Bylaw also requires residents to remove all receptacles from the curb by the end of collection day. Where possible, residents should set their receptacles out the morning of collection rather than the night before to limit how long they are left unattended at the curb.
• Store your containers – store your garbage cart, Green Cart, and recycling in a secure location on non-collection days, such as in a shed or in your garage. If you do not have an enclosed area, secure your carts in a manner that does not allow them to be easily tipped.
• Freeze your food scraps – freeze food scraps such as meat, bones, and skin, and add them to your Green Cart on collection day.
• Rinse recyclables – recyclables containing residue (ex. yogurt cups, ice cream containers, etc.) should be rinsed before placing in your blue box for pick up.
• Keep your carts clean – rinsing your carts regularly or washing them with a mild detergent or water and vinegar solution can help prevent residual material from becoming an attractant.

To report bear sightings, contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. For questions related to municipal waste collection services, please contact Township of Langley Engineering at opsinfo@tol.ca.

Thank you for your assistance in helping prevent your household waste from being an attractant to wildlife.