BOZEMAN, Montana – Living in Bozeman means sharing a landscape with remarkable wildlife, such as bears. To help prevent conflicts and ensure these animals remain wild, the City of Bozeman’s Solid Waste division has started a pilot program, offering a limited number of bear-resistant trash bins to neighborhoods within city limits that bears frequent the most.

 
“Garbage is the number one attractant for bears so securing your garbage is the best way to protect yourself and bears,” Takami Clark, Communications & Engagement Manager for the City of Bozeman explained. “Doing this will help bears live longer in their natural habitats.”
 
The bear resistant trash bins are special bins that are compatible with city trucks and provide secure storage of garbage as they are difficult for bears to open. Due to the higher cost of buying and maintaining the bins, the city has a limited number available and has prioritized neighborhoods that experience the most bear conflicts. Bins cost $5 per month in addition to the current tote charge.

 
Having a bear-resistant trash bin is one of the best ways to mitigate conflict and keep bears wild. However, those who do not have access to a bear-resistant trash bin can also help to prevent conflict by keeping garbage totes indoors until the morning of pick-up.
 
“The city will continue to watch this program closely as time goes on,” Clark said. “If successful, we hope to get funding for further bear bins and to implement this in more neighborhoods around the city.”
 
More information on bear-resistant trash bins can be found online at https://bit.ly/bozemanbears.