Asheville Asks: How can I be "BearWise" when it comes to trash?

May 03, 2023

Ah Spring!

The smell of fresh flowers, the feel of the sun, the sounds of black bears rummaging through the trash.

These are just some of the sights and sounds that make our mountain home so special. But our city and its surrounding are not only enjoyed by us but by the wildlife that calls it home as well. So community members have asked: How can I be "bear wise" about my trash?

It's a good question – with solutions that can help you keep your sanity, and our black bears stay healthier.

BEARS and TRASH

We all love the "Bear Carts" – trash can specially designed to keep critters as big as black bears from attacking your trash. They are so populat in fact, there's a waiting list for those supplied through a City of Asheville program. Still, community members are welcomed to sign up to get on the waiting list.

So what can you do to keep trash in and bears out in the meantime?

Here are some tips from our friends at BearWise:

Garbage and recycling should be stored where bears can't smell or access to it: either in a bear-resistant container or inside a bear-resistant building. For bear-resistant garbage and recycling options, see Keep Bears Out.

Find out more tips about living with our Western North Carolina black bears.