The City of Nelson, in partnership with Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, is installing 35 new bear-resistant garbage bins in the downtown area. These bins will replace all existing trash cans to better protect our community and local wildlife.
Thanks to the generous support of Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, which utilized grant funding to help purchase these new bins, Nelson residents can look forward to a more bear-aware downtown core.
The new bins are the Freedom 32 model, manufactured by Canadian supplier Haul-All. They feature a hands-free foot pedal as well as a handle for snowy months and are certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). This means they have passed rigorous testing — including live bear trials in Yellowstone and Montana — to ensure the highest level of bear resistance.
While no container is completely “bear-proof” due to factors such as improper securing of lids, these bear-resistant bins represent a major step forward in reducing human-wildlife conflicts and protecting both our community and the bears that call this region home.
Installation is starting this week and will continue into the fall, with crews working to ensure a smooth transition throughout downtown Nelson.
The City of Nelson and Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism thank the community for their ongoing support in keeping Nelson safe, clean and bear-aware.
For more information on wildlife in Nelson, visit nelson.ca/1020/Wildlife-in-Nelson.