Gatlinburg is nearing the finish line on its $3 million animal-resistant dumpster project, and the initiative is progressing faster than expected. Aiming to improve sanitation and reduce human-bear encounters, the city has installed over 450 dumpsters since the project's inception in November 2023, as reported by WBIR. Originally slated for completion by December, Gatlinburg has surpassed its monthly goal, averaging just under 51 dumpsters per month as of yesterday.
The installation of these dumpsters, designed to prevent animals, particularly bears, from accessing refuse, is part of the city's broader effort to mitigate potentially dangerous wildlife encounters which have been an issue for years. According to WATE, before this project, the responsibility of maintaining garbage containers fell on the individuals and businesses. Now, the city will own and maintain the dumpsters, a move facilitated by a new hire for maintenance and the allocated funds for a dumpster maintenance building in the 2024-25 budget.
The city's efforts extend beyond the installation of dumpsters. They are also hosting the Bear Management Education Open House at the American Legion Building on August 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., to educate the community on coexisting with the local bear population responsibly. This event, highlighted by WVLT, is a joint effort with the Smokies Bearwise Taskforce and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to promote wildlife safety and trash management.
Recent incidents have underscored the program's urgency. Last August, a bear cub was killed, and another injured after being hit by a car while foraging through unsecured trash near a roadway in Sevier County, as per WATE. Such occurrences illustrate the dangers of human-wildlife interactions that Gatlinburg seeks to diminish through measures like this dumpster project.
For those seeking more information about the Animal-Resistant Dumpster Program or to report an issue with unsecured trash, the city has provided contact details for both the Sanitation Department and the Police Department. Gatlinburg residents and businesses can expect the full rollout of the new dumpster program to be completed before the year's end, marking a substantial leap towards a safer, cleaner cohabitation between the city’s populace and its wildlife.
