More Bear-Resistant Trash Cans Coming To Chester: See Details

CHESTER, NJ — Chester Township has secured a second and substantially larger allocation of bear-resistant trash cans through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), according to Mayor Tim Drag.

The township was awarded 370 additional bear-resistant containers this year after receiving 166 cans at no cost through a DEP grant program in 2025.

The expanded allocation will allow Chester officials to fulfill all remaining requests from the existing waitlist, with additional cans available for distribution through a lottery system, Drag said.

All containers included in this round will be 64-gallon models. Residents who previously requested 96-gallon cans will instead be offered the 64-gallon version.

Like last year's program, the bear-resistant trash cans will be provided free of charge to residents. The only requirement is that recipients complete a follow-up survey distributed by the DEP after receiving their container.

Township officials also plan to open a new interest list for residents who did not apply during the previous round. The list will be used for any additional bear-resistant cans that become available this year or in future years, though officials noted there is no guarantee the DEP grant program will be renewed.

Information about the second round of sign-ups will be announced in the coming weeks.

Bear-resistant trash containers are designed to help reduce encounters between residents and black bears by limiting access to household garbage, a common attractant for wildlife.

As bear season is upon us once again, it’s important to remain vigilant, even in residential settings. Last year, a woman was bitten by a bear in Sussex County after it had wandered inside a dollar store.

Read More: Bear Killed After Biting Woman In NJ Dollar Store

According to NJ Fish and Wildlife, one of the best ways to prevent attracting bears is to properly dispose of garbage. See tips on safe garbage disposal to limit bear attraction, provided by NJ Fish and Wildlife:

• Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers

Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers and keep the container outdoors if you live in an area frequented by black bears. Certified bear-resistant trash containers have passed a formal testing procedure and are proven to keep bears out. Certified containers offer the best protection.

Use certified bear-resistant community dumpsters in housing developments and gated communities.

• Secure garbage cans

If not using certified containers, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them within a secure location where bears are unlikely to see or smell them. For example, leave garbage containers in your basement until the morning of garbage collection. Note: Occasionally, bears have tried to enter buildings in search of food, so use caution.

• Use a Bear-Resistant Dumpster Enclosure

Garbage containers or dumpsters may be stored within Bear Resistant Dumpster Enclosures (BRDEs). These are fully enclosed structures consisting of four sides (i.e., solid panels or cyclone fencing,) eight feet high, and with a top of sufficient design (i.e., barbed wire or roof) constructed to prevent access by black bears. BRDEs should meet the standards specified by the Living with Wildlife Foundation. Various BRDE Designs can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oc3yIDcEbwcuq_Bccpv_-PaUUu_8LhXB/view

• Put out garbage the morning of collection day

Put out garbage as close to pick-up time as possible, not the night before.

• Wash trash containers

Wash trash containers with a disinfectant solution at least once a week to eliminate odors. Examples of disinfectant solutions include hot water and chlorine bleach or ammonia.

• Secure & clean recycling containers

Store recycling containers in a secure building and only put them outdoors on the day of pickup. Empty recyclables, like beverage cans, bottles, and food containers, can attract bears.