Collier officials urging the use of bear-resistant trash cans as populations grow

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Bears are on the move and have appeared all over Southwest Florida this week.

Florida’s black bear population continues to grow. There are an estimated 1,000 bears in South Florida living in the conservation areas of Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Now that bears are becoming more active and roaming closer to humans, officials are urging people to use bear-resistant trash bins. Collier County sells the bear-proof cans for $115 each.

People who live in rural areas are being asked to follow the ‘BearWise’ rules by securing their trash until set out time which is 6 p.m. the day before garbage collection.

In October 2018, FWC awarded Collier County Solid & Hazardous Waste Division grant funds to purchase bear-resistant containers. These containers are now available on a first come, first served basis at a subsidized cost of $115. To obtain your container, please visit Waste Management, Inc. of Florida (WMIF) at:

4500 Exchange Avenue
Naples, FL 34104
239-325-3213 

** ONLY CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AND MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO WMIF **

Any subsidized funds collected will be utilized to purchase more bear-resistant containers. Thereafter, customers may purchase the containers at the market rate from Waste Management, Inc. of Florida at the address listed above.

CLICK HERE for more information on how to get one of the bear-proof bins.

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