Wildlife & Waste

All residents within designated wildlife issue areas will receive wildlife-resistant carts for all three collection streams: compostable waste, recycling, and garbage.

These carts are designed with double-walled lids, durable plastic bodies, and gravity-lock mechanisms. They are fully compatible with automated collection systems while remaining secure at the curb to help prevent wildlife access.

Wildlife-resistant carts are available to residents living within designated wildlife issue areas who are enrolled in the City’s Curbside Collection Program.

All residents within designated wildlife issue areas cannot place curbside materials out until after 5:00 am on their collection day (no materials out overnight). Additionally, residents are required to store their waste and waste containers in an enclosure and/or in a way that is inaccessible to bears and other wildlife if they do not have wildlife-resistant carts. Starting May 1, 2026, residents with wildlife- resistant carts do not have to store their waste containers inside. 

• Residents who live in areas with wildlife issues will automatically be required to set out their containers at the prescribed times.
• All containers must be returned to their designated storage location no later than 10:00 p.m. on the same day.

City staff may conduct audits where containers are placed at the curb outside of permitted times, including overnight placement.

Additional observations of materials left at the curb overnight may result in enforcement action. The City’s goal is to provide residents with the opportunity to comply before issuing a final notice and a $200 fine under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw.

• Reduce odours by freezing smelly food waste and disposing of it on the day of collection.

• Rinse recycling materials to remove food residue. Even with rinsing, mixed recycling often contains traces of food residue and odours which may attract bears, so it is important to secure these bins and only place them out on the regular collection day.

• Keep all containers securely stored inside a garage or another enclosed structure until collection day, if you do not have wildlife-resistant carts.

• Ensure all your containers have tightly fitted lids.

• Manage fruits trees and berry bushes by picking fruit as it ripens and avoiding it collecting on the ground.

• Feed pets indoors and keep bowls and food containers inside.

• Bird feeders often become bear-feeders so please only feed birds during the winter months when bears are hibernating and natural bird food is limited.

• Keep your barbecue clean and free from odours by burning off the grill every time after use and cleaning out the grease traps.

• Manage your compost properly and have equal amounts of brown and green materials added to reduce odours.

• If you have chickens, bees or small livestock, use a properly installed and maintained electric fence. Store all your feed in a secure location and ensure feeding areas are clean and free of attractants.

         For more tips, including what to do if you encounter a bear, visit wildsafebc.com.

The Province of BC provides a 24-hour Conservation Officer Service reporting line that is used by the public to report human-wildlife interactions where public safety may be at risk. The reporting line is known as the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line and can be reached at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on Telus Mobility Network, or reported via the link below.

Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) – Environmental Protection & Sustainability Forms (gov.bc.ca).

In British Columbia, through the Provincial Wildlife Act the province is responsible for the management and health of wildlife. Through conservation and wildlife health programs, they ensure wildlife and their habitats thrive and at the same time reduce the human-wildlife conflict.

The province also created the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline to report wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk. The RAPP program is a toll-free tip line and online service that also allows you to report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws anonymously and without risk of confronting the offender. It is available 24 hours a day and can be reached at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on TELUS Mobility Network, or reported via the link below.

Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) – Environmental Protection & Sustainability Forms (gov.bc.ca)

WildSafeBC is the provincial leader in preventing conflict with wildlife through collaboration, education and community solutions. They provide wildlife facts, safety advice and conflict reduction strategies for wildlife species in British Columbia. They also have different programs to increase awareness and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. WildSafeBC has local coordinators to deliver education and outreach activities to residents living in Wildlife Areas.

According to WildsafeBC, a total of 1591 wildlife reports were made to the Conservation Officer Service in the FVRD for the year 2025. The top three species were black bears (1293 reports), which is higher compared to 2024 (807  reports), deer (132 reports), and coyotes (55 reports).

In Chilliwack, a total of 252 calls were made to the Conservation Officer Service regarding black bears. Of these, 116 were bear sightings, 17 involved food-conditioned bears, 17 involved aggressive behaviour, 16 concerned injured or deceased bears, 6 were related to property damage, and 5 involved livestock or pet kills.

From January 1st to October 31st, the local WildSafeBC Community Coordinators performed outreach activities in the FVRD area. They delivered 82 presentations at 29 elementary schools, reaching a total of 3479 students and reached 1956 homes with door-to-door education. In addition, they had display booths at parks, trailheads, campgrounds, and community markets where they had interacted with more than 7100 residents. WildlifeBC submits an annual report to the FVRD summarizing all the work they've completed. With all their efforts in education for the community, the City will continue to provide extra funding to partner with WildSafeBC in 2026. 

In Spring 2025, WildsafeBC collaborated with the City of Chilliwack and BC's Conservation Officer Services to host a Wildlife and Waste Information Session at Chilliwack City Hall. Information was provided on ways to reduce wildlife conflicts by responsibly managing waste and other attractants in Wildlife Areas. Residents who live in Wildlife Areas were invited to attend, provide feedback, and have the opportunity to speak to a Conservation Officer, a WildsafeBC representative, and staff from the Environmental Services department.

The PowerPoint Presentation document is available to view. 

For more information about WildSafeBC please visit their website Home – WildsafeBC.