RMWB Expands Bear-Resistant Garbage Bin Program

FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta — The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is expanding its bear-resistant garbage bin program this fall as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce bear encounters.

Starting Sept. 13, homes in Anzac, Draper, and Gregoire Lake Estates will receive the new garbage containers. The bins will be delivered the day after regular waste collection, with residents receiving notice one week before the exchange.

Beginning in late September, bear-resistant bins will also be distributed to homes on streets in Fort McMurray with the highest number of bear encounters and sightings. The rollout will continue through December. A deployment schedule is available on the RMWB website.

Last year, 300 homes in Saprae Creek tested the new containers, with over 80% of residents providing positive feedback to the RMWB.