Supplied: City of Kamloops

The City of Kamloops will be launching a pilot program to test bear-resistant curbside organic carts in Juniper Ridge West on Aug. 1.

Roughly 300 homes – the same properties that were already included in the City’s organic waste collection pilot program – will be included in this new pilot, which will be focused on a few new things.

“We want to understand how effective bear-resistant carts are, how willing and able residents are to properly use them, and the impact on patterns of human-bear conflict,” Environmental Services Coordinator, Danielle Sparks, said.

Properties on Galore Crescent, Galore Place, Galore Court, Emerald Drive, Myra Place, and part of Qu’Appelle Boulevard will get these new bear-resistant organic carts on either July 17, 24, or 31.

Sparks says the bear-resistant organics carts are similar to ones being used in other bear-smart communities across the province.

“This cart style is very similar to current other organics carts, they do have two carabiner style clips that fasten the lids closed,” she said. “It is the resident’s responsibility to clip and unclip when adding organic material.”

On collection day, Sparks says residents who are part of this new pilot will have to unclip the clips on the organics bin before wheeling the cart to the curb.

“That is one of the big one of the big things we’re looking to get out of this pilot to see if residents are able and willing to effectively and properly use these carts,” Sparks said.

Once the one-year pilot is complete, Sparks says the city will provide city council with a summary of findings and recommendations to potentially expand the bear-resistant organic cart program city-wide.

Kamloops will also begin a city-wide curbside organic waste collection program on Monday, Aug. 21.