DocumentsAppendixDec 15, 2025Pages 74–98
Appendix B – Garbage Can Examples and Education Initiatives (Options for Better Waste Management)
Appendix documenting existing public garbage can types in Langford, retrofit options, recommended future can designs (roadside and parks), estimated unit costs, and examples of education and wildlife management initiatives.
Key facts
- Existing can styles catalogued (Classic Langford, Hid-A-Bag, Pattison, Crowned, Solar/self-compacting, Victorian, etc.)
- Recommended standard roadside can cost estimate: $3,600 per can installation
- Recommended bear-proof parks/trails can: $2,515–$3,500 per installation
- Education initiatives referenced: WildSafe BC bin tagging, Bear Smart Community Program, BC SPCA resources
Appendix B
Page 74–98
Existing Garbage Bins
The many styles of existing garbage bins around Langford were catalogued with general information, as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages in the table below.
Table 1: Existing City of Langford Garbage Can Styles
Classic Langford Can with Crest
About:
- Common garbage can throughout the city
- Maintenance access is through an unlocked, removable lid
- Capacity of 75L/20G
- Metal
Advantages:
- Locally manufactured in Langford
- Lid opening is small
Disadvantages:
- Lid is not tethered to can and could be easily removed, stolen, or lost
- Removeable lid allows for dumping household/excess waste
- Can insert is small and is not utilizing the exterior can’s full capacity
Classic Bear Mountain
About:
- Located in the Bear Mountain community area
- Capacity of 75L/20G
- Metal
Advantages:
- Consistent can design throughout the community
Disadvantages:
- Garbage could be placed on top
- The opening is bigger than other styles
Hid-A-Bag
About:
- Located in parks and areas where wildlife is an increased concern
- Maintenance access is through a door – the back opens entirely
- Capacity varies
- Metal
Advantages:
- Wildlife resistant
- Lid provides some level of odour control
- Large, variable capacity
- Durable
Disadvantages:
- Large opening makes it easy to dump household/excess waste
Pattison Outdoor Advertising
About:
- Common by bus stops, especially in the downtown core
- Capacity of 75L/20G
- Metal
Advantages:
- Cans provided and maintained by Pattison Outdoor, a Canadian-based company
- Maintenance access is through a lockable door
- Has a metal bonnet on top, prevents piling of garbage on top of can
Disadvantages:
- The opening is bigger than other styles
- Can be a target for vandalism
Crowned
About:
- Located at Veterans Memorial Park and a couple smaller parks on residential streets
- Maintenance access is through an unlocked, removable lid.
- Capacity of 75L/20G
- Metal
Advantages:
- Smaller can opening
Disadvantages:
- Lid is easily removed and does not prevent depositing of dumped garbage
- Interior can is small (for some) and is not utilizing the exterior can’s full capacity
- Garbage could be placed on top
- Can insert is visible
Exposed Aggregate
About:
- Two different external sizes
- Maintenance access is through an unlocked, removable lid.
- Capacity of 75L/20G
- Concrete
Advantages:
- Lid is attached to can via a chain - can't be stolen/lost.
- Lid is easily removed for maintenance.
Disadvantages:
- Inserts are not utilizing full can space
- No preventatives for dumping household/excess waste
- Graffiti removal is challenging
- Garbage could be placed on top
Faux Wood
About:
- Along Station Avenue at the Station Avenue Cultural District
- Metal and Plastic
Advantages:
- Aesthetically appealing.
- Different styles available with sorting options (recycling, paper/plastic)
- Maintenance access is through a lockable door
- Lid opening is small
- Lid cannot be removed
- Multi-can style has sloped lid to discourage piling of loose garbage on top
Disadvantages:
- Overflows often during community events
- Garbage could be placed on top
Utility
About:
- Maintenance access is through an unlocked, removable lid.
- Provides power to nearby infrastructure.
- Capacity of 120L/32G
- Metal
Advantages:
- Small opening in the lid.
- Lid is attached to the can via a tether – can't be stolen/lost
Disadvantages:
- Lid is easily removed
- Large can size takes up space and does not have significantly more capacity
Slatted
About:
- Located around the YMCA and GVPL Langford Heritage Branch (and other locations)
- Undetermined capacity
- Metal
Advantages:
- Maintenance access is through a lockable door
- Lid is welded on and can't be removed
Disadvantages:
- The opening is bigger than other styles
- Garbage could be placed on top
Solar/Self-Compacting
About:
- Located on Goldstream Ave. and Langford Pkwy.
- Capacity of 120L/32G
- Metal
Advantages:
- Larger capacity as garbage is compacted
- Uses renewable energy and a battery
- Self-compacting (increased capacity)
- Encourages sorting
- Pull-door opening makes it more difficult to dump excess waste
- Maintenance access is through a lockable door
- Improved odour control (compared to open-air cans)
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to clean due to internal compacting mechanisms
- Difficult to empty as compacted garbage weighs more
- Manufacturer is outside of Canada and is difficult to contact for replacement parts
- Target for vandalism
Victorian
About:
- A couple locations on Goldstream Ave.
- Maintenance access is through a lockable door
- Capacity of 75L/20G
- Metal
Advantages:
- Made of thick metal.
- Pointed lid could resist loose garbage being placed on top.
- Lid cannot be removed
Disadvantages:
- Access is through a lockable door, but at the City Hall location there was no lock, and the door could be opened easily.
- Large openings for dumped garbage
Page 74–98
Retrofit Options
To address common concerns with the garbage cans, several options are available to retrofit the existing garbage cans. Suitable retrofit options are included in Table 2.
Table 2: Retrofit Options for Existing City of Langford Garbage Cans
| Retrofit Option | Improvement | Applicable Can(s) | Photo(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larger Garbage Can Insert | Replace the existing can insert with a larger insert to maximize the exterior can’s capacity. (Note: if the weight will still be safe for maintenance workers to lift and can be lifted out.) | - Classic Langford - Crowned - Exposed Aggregate |
N/A |
| Garbage Bonnet | Replace the lid with a bonnet/rain-guard style – or attach a bonnet to the existing lid – to help prevent rain, debris, and pests from entering the can. (Note: could also be used to reduce any “free space” on top of the flat cans that garbage could be placed on to.) | - Crowned - Slatted |
|
| Lid with Door Opening | Replace the open-air lid with a different style to: - Reduce the opening size - Deter wildlife such as birds and raccoons | - Classic Langford - Crowned - Exposed Aggregate |
|
| Separate Dog Bag Garbage Can | Add a separate dog bag garbage next to the cans at parks to reduce the number of dog bags entering the existing cans. | Any cans near parks/walking trails | |
| Local artwork | Paint the cans to increase aesthetics and discourage vandalism (ex: have them painted by a street/mural artist). | - Exposed Aggregate | |
| Lid Lock | Add a lock to the lid so it cannot be lifted without a key/permitted access, and to deter wildlife. | - Classic Langford - Crowned - Hydro - Exposed Aggregate |
N/A |
| Garbage Lid Tether | Add a lanyard/tether to the lid so it can’t be lost/stolen. | - Classic Langford - Crowned - Exposed Aggregate |
|
| Diverted Waste | Replace select cans in high-traffic areas with larger “sorting” cans to separate recyclables and garbage; or replace with new can design that has locking doors and non-removable lids. (Note: padlocks, like in the photo, could be cut to access the returnable containers – internal locks may be a better choice.) | Any cans in high traffic/downtown areas | |
| Basket Addition for Recyclables | Add a basket for returnable beverage containers to the exterior of the can to reduce the volume of garbage entering the can and also discourages digging through the can. | - Crowned - Slatted - Classic Langford can with Crest - Victorian - (Any other feasible cans.) |
|
| Install larger capacity cans with in-ground storage | - Provides additional in-ground storage - Closed lid to limit odour. - Bear resistant options - Only suitable for some locations due to potential for utility conflicts - Supplied by Canadian company - Larger capacity of 3 cubic meters (2.4 meters deep) - Less frequent pick up, but can is emptied using a crane truck as garbage bag weight can be up to 400 lbs. so pick up and garbage bags would be at an additional cost. | N/A (supply/installation option) |
Page 74–98
Recommended Future Garbage Can Design
Based on review and evaluation of existing garbage cans as well as available retrofit options, the recommended options to alleviate some of the common concerns are documented in Table 3.
Table 3: Recommended Garbage Can Design and Retrofit Options
| Recommendation | Details | Photo | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Can Design for Roadside | Install one consistent can style for all future installations. Select can style with curved, non-removable lid and smaller, front opening reduces opportunities for dumping household garbage or piling garbage on top of can. Install recycling bin at some locations to divert waste from the landfill. | $3,600 per can installation | |
| Standard Can Design for Parks and Trails | Install one consistent can style for parks or trail areas where wildlife attraction is a concern. Select a bear-proof design. | $2,515 per can installation (single unit) $3,500 per can installation (double unit) | |
| Retrofit Existing Bins with Basket for Recyclables | Add a basket for returnable beverage containers to the exterior of the can to reduce the volume of garbage entering the can and also discourages digging through the can. | $200 per can installation | |
| Retrofit Bins with Front Loading Can Lids | Replace the flat open-air lids with a different style to reduce the opening size and deter wildlife such as birds and raccoons. | $400 per can installation | |
| Install larger capacity cans with in-ground storage | Consider installing larger-capacity in-ground cans where space and budget permits. | $4,000 per can installation, $450 per can servicing |
Page 74–98
Existing Signage, Initiatives, Campaigns, and Resources
Although many waste and urban wildlife initiatives emphasize bear awareness, the signs and information can be adjusted to reflect any urban wildlife as needed, such as birds, rodents, bears, or raccoons.
Table 4: Waste and Wildlife Initiative Examples
| Initiative (Source) | About | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Bin Tagging (WildSafe BC) | - An educational activity run by WildSafe Community Coordinators that involves placing removable stickers on residential garbage bins that were placed curbside the night before collection. - This activity is intended to provide information about local bylaws and to raise awareness about wildlife attractants – it does not enforce bylaws or deliver fines. - Source: Bin Tagging - WildSafe BC | |
| Don’t Love It To Death | - A campaign launched in 2022 by the Sea-to-Sky Destination Management Council. - Website features numerous impacts and resources while also encouraging community members to do their part. - Impact pages include facts and reflective questions for readers. - Source: Don't Love It To Death | |
| Take Action – Urban Wildlife (BC SPCA) | - The BC SPCA website has many detailed educational webpages and brochures that provide information about urban wildlife and how to prevent human-wildlife conflict. - Doesn’t just focus on bears; also includes Wildlife Best Practices for birds, raccoons, squirrels, bears, deer, mice, and rats. - Their resources strive to educate from the angle of protecting the health and safety of wildlife (rather than seeing them solely as pests) through cohabitation and personal responsibility. - Source: Coexisting with wildlife - BC SPCA | |
| Bear Smart Community Program (Province of British Columbia) | - “… designed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in partnership with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.” - This program is voluntary, and its goal is to address the root causes of human-bear conflicts. - It encourages communities, businesses, and individuals to work together. - Includes a series of criteria that communities must achieve to be recognized as “bear smart”. - Sources: Bear Smart Community Program - Province of British Columbia, Be Bear Smart Community Brochure | |
| Bear Coexistence Door Hangers (The Fur-Bearers) | - Free door hangers that can be ordered on their website. - Designed to provide education on managing attractants, what to do if you see a bear, and a link to additional resources. - Source: Bear Coexistence Door Hangers - The Fur-Bearers |
Page 74–98
Staff Recommendations (verbatim)
Install one consistent can style for all future installations. Select can style with curved, non-removable lid and smaller, front opening reduces opportunities for dumping household garbage or piling garbage on top of can. Install recycling bin at some locations to divert waste from the landfill.
Install one consistent can style for parks or trail areas where wildlife attraction is a concern. Select a bear-proof design.
Add a basket for returnable beverage containers to the exterior of the can to reduce the volume of garbage entering the can and also discourages digging through the can.
Replace the flat open-air lids with a different style to reduce the opening size and deter wildlife such as birds and raccoons.
Consider installing larger-capacity in-ground cans where space and budget permits.
Page 74–98
Extracted from: Agenda