Highway History (BC): the Garbage Gobbler

Trash receptacles like this were once a common sight along British Columbia’s provincial highways, at rest stops and parks. This army of cartoonish monsters were part of a campaign aimed at children to keep the province beautiful and litter free. That was long ago and they’re gone now, but this example was saved to be put on display. Here’s a little highway history and the subject is the Garbage Gobbler.

We’re out in the beautiful mountain community of Revelstoke and along the secondary highway heading south to the ferry (Big Eddy neighbourhood). It’s at a public work’s yard and to anyone who was a kid who travelled in the province in the 1950s to early 1980s periods, the Gobbler is instantly recognizable. Double take when driving past!

Kids, and thanks to constant nagging, their parents (who can be trained via repetition) were encouraged to “Feed the Gobbler”. Junior Gobbler bags were handed out, to be hung in the car and when filled deposited in the mouth of a roadside monster. Keep the province “green and clean”.

There were some two hundred and fifty Garbage Gobblers scattered about BC. Given the population makeup of the province, most could be found in the southern half of the province, but no matter where, they were an iconic symbol.

They could be seen at any rest stop, turn off, viewpoint or roadside picnic area and the program seemingly successful. Better in the can than beside the road. No map has come to light thus far, but somewhere in an obscure archive there must be an inventory of the locations for each. Somewhere out there and we’ll keep looking.

The majority were made of fibreglass but early ones were of concrete. Each got painted in a distinctive green and yellow scheme similar to what’s seen on this restored Gobbler.

The parks, highways, tourism and conservation departments all collaborated on this project. To one degree or another, but that’s not terribly important. They all had common goal, however, to stamp out litterbugs and keep things tidy. Where ever people go, discarded stuff is sure to follow (not just then, but always) and for that era these comical creatures helped bring attention to the problem in a creative way.

Gobblers were first introduced in the late 1950s (earliest confirmed reference we could find is from 1957) and continued to be placed into the early 1960s at least. The ranks thinned by the 1970s and by early the next decade, most would be gone. A few lasted longer out of the way places, but that was the exception.

That they were not animal proof is most often cited as the reason for their removal, but no doubt attrition came into play as well. They’ve since been replaced by standard bear-proof receptacles, some of which have a modern incarnation of a Garbage Gobbler painted on their sides. It’s not the same, but so it goes.

We’ve noted a wide variance of eyes on the old Gobblers. There’s ones with slit pupils, vertical, horizontal or tilted in alignment plus cross-shaped ones like here. We’ve noted crescent pupils and other variations too.

Others are round and dilated in an over-the-top way, so as to look almost bug like or as though the Garbage Gobbler is surprised. Or maybe stoned – feed me – pizza! We’ve dug up many photos and variations were the norm with very few the same. In original form at least, the slanted slit seemed most common.

We’ve noted differences in the green and yellow paint as well, but given the many branch offices involved in their upkeep, this is of no surprise. In addition some had a red-ish stripe on their nose and other subtle deviations.

A metal receptacle was placed inside and trash could be dumped via a spring loaded door in their mouth. Feed me! It was popular for tourists to snap a photo of someone’s arm or entire body being chomped on by a Gobbler. See for yourself by doing a Google image search and it’s funny stuff. A few of these are known to still exist and some have become yard art across the province. A small number have been restored, like this one, but many appear quite beat up and weathered.

The sign underneath reads:

BC Garbage Gobbler. The “Garbage Gobbler” is truly a unique piece of BC transportation history. The first Gobblers were designed by Len Shaw for the BC Park’s branch in the 1950s. Approximately 250 green and yellow “Garbage Gobbler” cans were placed along BC Highways and in our provincial parks. This Garbage Gobbler is one of those original cans. Province of British Columbia, 2017.

We’re curious to know where this example originally came from but that information is probably lost to time. Maybe the Last Spike monument to the west, or at the pull-off along the Number One just west of the Columbia River in town? That second location is not far away from the Gobbler present day but we’re just throwing it out there.

Memory flashback: at the don’t-loose-your-brakes switchback dropping down into Osoyoos (east side) in the south Okanagan. If you’ve driven the road you remember it for the incredible views and seemingly endless descent. There was a Garbage Gobbler at the viewpoint about half way down – the inner kid insists it’s true. Yes, passed it many times.

Recall many others trash monsters, vaguely, but for this one, the location has been burned into memory and is forever.

As a small child they were frightening, but later became the the source of much amusement and comedic stupidity. Who’s going to get eaten this time? My hand…it ate my hand! You know, the dumb stuff you did? Standing there along highway #23, the memories of childhood come rushing back and with an intensity unexpected. Here’s an old friend from road trips with the folks and us kids knew the Gobblers well.

A certain guy with camera in hand must have looked quite puzzling to passing motorists, standing there motionless, mouth agape and with a blank stare. Distant recollections have a way of doing that and zoning you out.

If you’re a BCer from the period these were around, and especially a kid, we hope you enjoyed the little trip down memory lane. Once you meet a Garbage Gobbler they are forever and rarely forgotten.

So ends the day’s adventures…or so it was thought. That evening and back at the campground a neighbour comes to show us something special. There in the failing light, this immaculate early ’70s AMC Javelin and it photographs beautifully. It has that deep and confident rumble so emblematic of the era. There’s something satisfying here and it’s not possible for cars of today to be so unapologetically cool.

There’s a sirloin on the fire, an icy cold local brew, fantastic company, memories of a trash eating monster and pony-car dreams. That’s a pleasing end to the day.

Know more (new tab): The Garbage Gobbler (BC).

They’re saying…

”…Chris & Connie do an amazing job on studying their subject matter.” Rik Barry (Time Air Historical Society).

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If you wish more information on what’s seen here, don’t hesitate to: contact us!

Date of Adventure: July, 2023.
Location(s): Revelstoke, BC.
Article references and thanks: BC Ministry of Transportation, records at the Royal BC Museum, MichaelKluckner.com and Randy Rodman (nice car).

One of BC’s iconic Garbage Gobblers from long ago.

Once a common sight along highways in the province.

They “ate” trash via a spring-loaded door in their mouth.

This one was saved and is on display in Revelstoke BC.

Back at the campground later that evening.