Dive Brief:
- Rare footage was captured of a bear riding atop a garbage truck in Los Alamos, NM late last week.
- The driver eventually backed his truck up to a tree, at which point the bear climbed off of the vehicle.
- The video footage was obtained by local volunteer firefighter Caleb Johnson, who captured nearly two minutes of the bear walking around the top of the truck before he was able to get off.
Dive Insight:
While this unique incident may seem silly or cute, bears have been causing trouble for trash haulers and customers alike due to their attraction to garbage. The issue has been especially prevalent in Florida, where some environmental officials have pushed for a statewide mandate of bear-resistant trash cans—which could cost a hefty $200 per bin. In Dec. 2015, Florida's Seminole County Commission approved a daily $100 fine for customers who neglect to lock up their trash in order to keep bears away.
Colorado is another state where the issues has caused a stir. In Sept. 2015, two bears were shot for getting into a customer's trash bin—which also sparked a call for an ordinance that would require bear-resistant bins. Residents in Nevada and Alaska have also experienced similar issues.
Other than bears being a nuisance for creating a mess around the trash bins, the well-being of a customer or a trash hauler is at risk when bears are present. As the industry moves toward solutions such as improved bins and regulations, it is hopeful that other initiatives, such as cutting food waste, could have a positive impact on this problem.
