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Red Lodge committee flags illegal dumping, urges bear‑resistant containers and county coordination
Summary
Committee members reported that people driving into town have been dumping trash in private dumpsters and noted some short‑term rentals and seasonal cabins south of town lack bear‑resistant containers; the committee discussed outreach to 'Bear Aware' and the waste hauler, and urged coordination with the county.
During public works updates on June 22, committee members raised repeated complaints that nonresidents and some short-term rental guests have been dumping household trash into private dumpsters and public receptacles south of town.
"People come into town and dump their trash in people's dumpsters," the chair (Speaker 2) said, describing complaints received by staff and residents. Committee members identified Circle 17 and other locations as frequent targets.
Members said some short-term rentals and seasonal cabin owners south of town do not always have bear-resistant containers. "Any new cans that Republic has brought out are all bear resistant," one committee member observed about the waste hauler’s newer containers, but others said older or seasonal properties still use non–bear-resistant cans.
The committee discussed enforcement and outreach options. Suggestions included asking Bear Aware and county staff to perform spot checks or education drive-bys, collecting license-plate information when witnesses capture dumping on camera and having dispatch follow up, and urging the county to consider a comparable collection standard outside city limits.
No formal enforcement action or intergovernmental directive was adopted at the meeting; members asked staff to follow up with Bear Aware and Republic and to report back on options to reduce illegal dumping and ensure bear‑resistant containers in high‑risk areas.
