Backup Documents 05/27/2025 Item # 5A PresentationBear Resistant Container Update
May 27, 2025
Item 5.A
Kari Ann Hodgson, P.E.
Director, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Division
Public Utilities Department 1
Bear Resistant
Containers Update
Ordinance 2019-36 permitted
customers to purchase and own
County approved bear resistant
containers
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Bear Resistant Containers Update
County approved Bear
resistant containers remain
available to customer for
purchase through haulers,
Waste Management and
Waste Pro
$377.75 per container
+ delivery fee
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Bear Resistant
Containers Update
Customers may also modify their existing green-top container
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Bear Resistant Containers Update
Collier County Solid
Waste Website provides
links to FWC’s
instructions and other
helpful tips to reduce
human – bear conflicts
https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/public-utilities/solid-hazardous-waste
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Bear Resistant Containers Update
QUESTIONS
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SRAs that Require Bear Resistant Containers
•Belmar Village
•Brightshore Village
•Collier Rod & Gun
•Hyde Park Village
•Rivergrass Village
•Town of Big Cypress
The Contractor shall provide Bear Resistant Curbside Collection Containers Containers to customers where the zoning requires such containers.
The Contractor may seek reimbursement for the purchase of Bear Resistant Curbside Collection Containers
from the respective property management company or homeowner's association at the Contractor’s invoice
price, plus a fee for delivery.7
Bear Resistant Containers Update
FAQS
•Does Collier County get many bear complaint calls?
Very few inquiries for carts-most complaints to FWC
•What sizes of Bear Resistant Carts will be available?
95 Gallon
•Do we collaborate with FWC?
The Solid Waste Program partners with FWC in providing educational
presentations regarding the County’s Solid Waste Services and Living with
Bears. Additionally, both agencies stay informed and communicate on bear
trends regarding population and hot spot areas in our region.
•How long do Bear Resistant Containers usually last?
Less than 5 warranty claims by customers have been received since Bear
Carts began being used in Collier County. Kodiak Cart have 6 Year Warranty
•Can residents get a Bear Resistant Recycling Cart too?
Practicing proper recycling leaves these bins undesirable to bears, lacking
food and other attractants.
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Bear Resistant Containers Update
FAQS
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EXTRA SLIDES-KODIAK CART
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Bear Resistant Containers Update
About the IGBC Bear-Resistant Products Testing Program
IGBC began providing guidance and direction relative to bear-resistant containers in the
1980s with a goal of ensuring effective storage of attractants and minimizing
human/grizzly bear conflicts. The testing program is a partnership with the Grizzly &
Wolf Discovery Center and the Washington State University Bear Center, which conduct
the live testing with grizzly bears in West Yellowstone, Montana, and Pullman,
Washington, respectively. and the Wildlife Management Institute, which provides
financial and administrative support. Products must meet specific criteria in order to be
certified as bear-resistant by the IGBC. The protocol for testing was developed through a
cooperative effort among IGBC, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the US Forest Service,
the Living with Wildlife Foundation, and the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
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SRA Name
Proposed
Units
Approved
Units
Single
Family
Multi
Family
Commercial
Bulidings SRA Bear Can Language
Curbside
Toter
Dumpster
Type
Bear Can
Cost-Maint.
Site Dev Plan
Review Date
SDP
Approved
Approx SRA
% Complete
Ave Maria 11,000 11,000 Yes 50%
Alico Village East 4,351 Unapproved 0%
Belmar Village 2,750 2,750
SRA to use Bear-Resistant Container for Residential & Non-
Res Bear- Resistant Bear- Resistant Unspecified 0%
BrightShore Village 2,000 2,000
SRA to use Bear-Resistant Container for Residential & Non-
Res Bear- Resistant Bear- Resistant Unspecified 0%
Collier Rod and Gun Club 225 225
SRA to use Bear-Resistant Container for Residential & Non-
Res Bear- Resistant Bear- Resistant Owner/Dev.0%
Horse Trails 3,205 Unapproved 0%
Hogan Island Town
Pre-
Submittal Unapproved Unspecified 0%
Hyde Park Village 1800 1800
FWC Guide Distribution for Resident, Bear Resistant
Dumpster Traditional Bear- Resistant Unspecified 0%
Immokalee Rd Rural Village
Pre-
Submittal Unapproved 0%
Rivergrass Village 2,500 2,500 2,250 250 Yes
FWC Guide Distribution for Resident, Bear Resistant
Dumpster Traditional Bear- Resistant Unspecified Multiple Yes 0%
Skysail 1,800 1,800 25%
Town of Big Cypress 5,572 5,572 Yes
SRA to use Bear-Resistant Container for Residential & Non-
Res Bear- Resistant Bear- Resistant Unspecified 3/25/2025 No 0%
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EXTRA SLIDES-NE EXPANSION
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Bear Resistant Containers Update
Benchmark Counties with
Bear Containers / Ordinances / Requirements
County Bear Ordinance Bear Carts in Use Requirements
Bay
Collier Carts-Some Communities
Franklin
Highlands
Lake
Leon
Marion
Okaloosa
Orange Carts-Some Communities
Putnam
Seminole Fines-Unsecured Trash
Volusia
Wakulla
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EXTRA SLIDES-Counties w/ Bear Carts
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EXTRA SLIDES-Collier County Kodiak Cart History
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EXTRA SLIDES-Southern Bear Management Unit (Includes Collier County)
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EXTRA SLIDES-Bear sightings/Past24 MOs
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EXTRA SLIDES—DATA -Slide 5
SRA NAME
PROPOSED
UNITS SRA Bear Can Language
Curbside
Toter
Dumpster
Type
Ave Maria 11,000 No Bear-Resistant Cart Requirements Proposed
Alico Village East 4,351 No Bear-Resistant Cart Requirements Proposed
Belmar Village 2,750
Bear Resistant Container Required for Residential and Non-
Residential
Bear-
Resistant
Bear-
Resistant
BrightShore Village 2,000
Bear Resistant Container Required for Residential and Non-
Residential
Bear-
Resistant
Bear-
Resistant
Collier Rod and Gun
Club 225
Bear Resistant Container Required for Residential and Non-
Residential
Bear-
Resistant
Bear-
Resistant
Horse Trails 3,205 No Bear-Resistant Cart Requirements Proposed
Hogan Island Town Pre-Submittal No Bear-Resistant Cart Requirements Proposed
Hyde Park Village 1800
FWC Guide Distribution for Residential, Bear Resistant
Dumpsters-Commerical Traditional
Bear-
Resistant
Immokalee Rd Rural
Village Pre-Submittal No Bear-Resistant Cart Requirements Proposed
Rivergrass Village 2,500
FWC Guide Distribution for Residential, Bear Resistant
Dumpsters-Commerical Traditional
Bear-
Resistant
Skysail 1,800 No Bear-Resistant Cart Requirements Proposed
Town of Big Cypress 5,572
Bear Resistant Container Required for Residential and Non-
Residential
Bear-
Resistant
Bear-
Resistant
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2021-2023
through a FWC grant,
~ xxx bear resistant
containers were
purchased by
customers
Insert pic of
heat map
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