$3 million investment aimed at eliminating garbage as food source for bears
GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The City of Gatlinburg’s animal-resistant dumpster project, which required an approximately $3 million investment by the City Commission last year, is nearing completion. This initiative, aimed at enhancing sanitation, public safety, and ultimately reducing human-bear encounters, marks a significant milestone in Gatlinburg’s continuous efforts to protect its citizens, visitors, and bears.
The program, which was launched in November 2023, has progressed ahead of schedule with the delivery of these animal-resistant dumpsters throughout Gatlinburg. Originally, the City and manufacturer Bearicuda, Inc. anticipated a complete rollout of the program by December 2024, based on a production schedule of 40 containers per month. An accelerated schedule has allowed the City to place 454 dumpsters as of July 25.
These dumpsters are designed to deter animals, particularly bears, from accessing waste, thereby eliminating garbage as a food source for the animals and reducing the likelihood of potentially dangerous encounters.
Previously, the Gatlinburg Sanitation Department collected garbage from dumpsters, which were privately owned. Before the rollout of this new program, individuals and businesses were responsible for the maintenance issues with those containers.
Under this new initiative, the City will own and maintain these containers. In addition to the investment to purchase the dumpsters, the City hired a position in its 2023-24 Budget to maintain these containers and appropriated funds in its 2024-25 Budget for the construction of a dumpster maintenance building for this program. This facility is where necessary repairs, painting, and general maintenance of these containers will occur.
A demonstration of these dumpsters, as well as other animal-resistant equipment, will be on display during the Bear Management Education Open House on Tuesday, August 13 from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the American Legion Building at 1222 East Parkway in Gatlinburg. This Open House, which is being hosted by the City of Gatlinburg, the Smokies Bearwise Taskforce, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, will aim to educate residents, businesses, and visitors about living safely and responsibly and best bear management practices, aimed at reducing human-bear interactions.
For more information about the Animal-Resistant Dumpster Program or if you witness a dumpster not in working condition, please contact the Sanitation Department at 865-436-5959 and give them the dumpster number which is located on a sticker on the container. If you see an issue with unsecured trash, please contact the Gatlinburg Police Department at 865-436-5181.
For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and Twitter.