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The Town of Kingston is grappling with an increasing problem of bears rummaging through trash containers. Residents have reported that bears are frequently getting into their garbage, leading the Town Board to seek solutions. During a meeting on Monday (April 6), Councilmember Vincent Nelson stated that Waste Management has been unable to provide bear-resistant containers compatible with their current system. According to Nelson, "They don’t really have anything that they have available to work with their current garbage system."
The town has advised residents to keep trash containers inside sturdy buildings or locked sheds to prevent bear encounters. Additionally, officials recommend removing bird feeders, avoiding placing meat in compost piles, and feeding pets indoors. Councilmember Kenn Hurley suggested an unconventional method to deter bears: covering trash with vacuum cleaner dust, as bears dislike the smell and taste.
Waste Management, North America's leading provider of environmental solutions, offers bear-proof business containers but does not provide locking containers for residential customers. Officials have warned that bears typically emerge from winter dens in mid- to late March, increasing the likelihood of encounters.
If residents encounter bears, officials advise against approaching or cornering them. Instead, they recommend staying calm, speaking loudly, and slowly backing away. To scare bears away, residents can yell, clap, or bang pots and pans. The town continues to seek effective solutions to address the bear issue.