Athens to Provide New, Improved Bear-Proof Trash Cans

“Bear-proof trash can” has become a loose term for some Altadena residents who have witnessed bears breaking open the cans and dining to their heart’s content.

Resident Alice Wessen was one of the most recent Altadenans to find a bear in her back yard last month and it wasn't the first time.

Wessen shared with Patch that her bear-proof trash can became a “bear piñata” that the bear knocked around for a while until the can cracked and the bear had access to its contents.

See video of the bear eating out of a trash can in Wessen’s yard here.

“The current [trash cans’] lids are heavy,” Athens Services general manager Thor Schmidt told Patch, noting that the current can design leads to more breakage.

To combat the “bear piñata” problem, Athens will provide a bear-proof trash can with a new design to certain residents who live in bear-frequented areas of Altadena.

“It’s lighter on the lid [and] it’s reinforced around the base of the opening so that should reduce breakage,” said Schmidt.

Since the newer cans are $200, as opposed to $45 for most regular, non-bear-proof trash cans, Schmidt said Athens is not giving them out to everybody.

Residents interested in a newly-designed bear-proof trash can from Athens Services should contact Athens, who will confirm whether or not the requesting resident lives in a bear-heavy area of Altadena.

Athens does not sell the trash cans to residents who don’t qualify to receive them, but Schmidt said he imagines they can be purchased through a company online.

Athens Services can be reached at (888) 336-6100.

Do you have problems with your current bear-proof trash cans? Are you planning to contact Athens about a possible new bear-proof trash can? How else do you try to keep bears from going through your trash?

Correction: A previous version of this article said the current bear-proof cans cost $45 but in fact Schmidt said most non-bear-proof, regular cans cost $45.