The Province of BC is responsible for wildlife management, including regulations concerning attracting dangerous wildlife. However, the City of Campbell River is responsible for local waste stream management, which affects wildlife.
All Campbell River residents must take steps to reduce wildlife conflicts. This includes preventing wildlife access to unsecured or improperly stored waste.
Waste is a bear attractant. When placed curbside overnight, bears and other wildlife can easily access it. When bears become accustom to human food, they are more likely to come closer to people, houses and personal property. This creates 'problem bears' that jeopardize human, bear and property safety.
As such, in Campbell River, garbage, recycling and organics may only be put out on the curbside on the day of collection. This is part of the Recycling, Organics and Garbage Regulations Bylaw No. 3950, 2024 [PDF/383KB].
If your curbside collection is delayed, you must remove your waste containers from the curbside by 8 p.m. that day. You may place your waste containers back out on the rescheduled collection day. Yard waste that does not contain food waste can be left at the curbside.
Other steps you can take to reduce wildlife conflicts include:
- cleaning bins with eco-friendly detergent and/or baking soda to reduce odours
- freezing compost between collection days to reduce attractants.
- regularly picking up fallen fruit from trees
- if you don't have time or are unable to harvest, the Greenways Land Trust fruit tree project can help
- learning other ways to limit pest and wildlife contact with the Wild Wise educational program
Multi-Family and Strata Properties
Multi-family and strata properties (apartments, townhouses, and condos), trailer parks and some triplexes and fourplexes do not have waste collection services through the City. However, they are still required to take reasonable steps to reduce wildlife conflicts. This includes preventing wildlife access to unsecured or improperly stored waste.