Athens Services to Offer Bear-Resistant Trash Containers in Sierra Madre for Fee

The company that collects trash and recyclables in Sierra Madre is planning to offer new bear-resistant containers to residents in neighborhoods where bears have become a problem, a company spokesman said Tuesday.
The bear-resistant container program in Sierra Madre will be similar to one already offered in Monrovia, Ed Chen, director of governmental affairs for Athens Services, said April 9 in a phone interview.
As in Monrovia, Sierra Madre residents who want bear-resistant containers will have to pay a monthly fee, Chen said.
The monthly fee for Sierra Madre residents  had not worked out as of Tuesday afternoon, but it will be similar to the Monrovia fee of $5.25 a month per barrel, Chen said.
"We hope to have the fees worked out within the next month, before the heat returns and bears come knocking again," Chen said.
Trash-seeking, dumpster-diving bears have become more common in foothill communities like Sierra Madre and Altadena in recent years, according to animal control and law enforcement officials.
A resident in the 3900 block of Alzada Road in Altadena spotted a bear rooting through trash in her back yard in late March this year. The bear climbed a 6-foot chain link fence to get to the trash, which was in a container billed as bear-resistant, according to the resident. Video of that incident is attached to this article.
See the full Altadena Patch article here
Details from the Athens Services Monrovia Bear Resistant Container Program web page:
"Residents who enroll in the program will be provided one (1) black 90-gallon bear-resistant barrel in lieu of the traditional trash barrel. The steel-reinforced, bear-resistant barrels come equipped with locking lids. The carts were designed to accommodate automated collection systems, so no special pick-up accommodations will be required.
"Prior to barrel delivery, enrollees will be required to sign a 36-month program participation agreement form with Athens Services for 36 monthly payments of $5.25 per month, per barrel."
To visit the Monrovia Bear Resistant Container Program web page, click here.
"We met with the Sierra Madre city manager yesterday," Chen said. "We've been in ongoing discussions with the city regarding services in Sierra Madre. Bear-resistant containers were among the items discussed."
Athens Services provides waste management and recycling services in 19 cities in Los Angeles County, Chen said.
Sierra Madre residents who want more info about bear-resistant trash containers may call Chen at (626) 594-4416. Athens Services is based in City of Industry.