FWC praises bear-proof garbage cans

The bear-proof garbage cans offered by the Waste Pro garbage company seem to be effective and are becoming very popular.

In June 2009, the company purchased 200 bear-proof containers to help residents in Franklin and Wakulla counties keep trash away from bears and other wildlife.

Even though the cans cost 5 dollars more per month, demand for the cans far outstripped what the company had to offer, so the company recently ordered an additional 200 bear-proof cans, which are now available to customers.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a survey of the residents who used the first batch of bear-proof cans offered by Waste Pro, as well as businesses that use bear-proof dumpsters.

Approximately 60 percent of the respondents had bear conflicts 1 to 7 times a week before using a bear-proof device. 

After using bear-proof devices, 73 percent of respondents said their bear conflicts dropped to once every 6 to 12 months.

More than 95 percent of respondents were satisfied with the bear-proof cans and dumpsters and were likely to recommend them. 

The FWC hopes that Waste Pro’s success in offering bear-proof residential cans will encourage other waste-service companies to offer them throughout the state where humans live in close proximity to bears.

For more information on wildlife-resistant containers and to find out what you can do to avoid bear conflicts, go to MyFWC.com/Bear.

Franklin and Wakulla county homeowners interested in the wildlife-resistant containers offered by Waste Pro can call 850-697-8800 or visit their website at www.wasteprousa.com.

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