One of B.C.’s last garbage gobbling monsters lives in Kamloops
Yellow and green creatures were once a staple along B.C. highways to encourage residents and visitors not to litter.
One of the few Garbage Gobblers still in existence can be found outside of the Ministry of Transportation office in Kamloops.
In the late 1950s, roughly 250 Garbage Gobbler trash cans were created by Len Shaw for B.C. Parks. They could be found across the province in B.C. Parks and at information points along provincial highways, according to TranBC.
They aimed to “Keep Beautiful British Columbia Green and Clean” by reducing litter.
Kelowna resident Sue Weldon has fond memories of the Garbage Gobblers of her childhood. Originally from White Rock, Weldon would beg her parents to let her take out the trash while camping in the Interior.
“I was a very hyperactive child and with three siblings, we did extensive camping around B.C.,” she said. “Every time we used to stop at the little pullovers there were these Garbage Gobblers guys and they reminded me of Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street for some reason so I was the one jumping up and down, begging to be the one to put the garbage in his mouth.”
“I went through all these years of seeing that and feeding these guys and I felt proud every time I fed them,” she said, adding she felt like she was doing her part to keep garbage off the ground.
Many feel the same way.
Lost BC, a Facebook page showcasing the province's history, recently shared images of the old gobblers and thousands reacted and responded to the post.
The Gobblers were eventually retired as they proved not to be bear safe. A Garbage Gobbler is currently in storage and out of commission in Ashcroft as of 2020, while another can be found in Langford in Veterans Park, said Max Gordon, communications officer with the Ministry of Transportation.
In 2015, new versions of the gobblers were created and set up at rest stops across the province, including the Interior. These gobblers are fully bear-proof, according to TranBC.
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