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http://www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au/Hot_Topics_Directory/New_Waste_App

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 New Waste App

An innovative mobile phone app has been launched by Midcoast Waste Services and its three member Councils, Great Lakes, Greater Taree City and Gloucestor.  The  WasteInfo App is available FREE for the residents of Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester Council areas to download and use.

"These Councils are some of the first in Australia to provide their residents with an app for waste and recycling services.  It's great to see innovative solutions are available to local people here on the Mid North Coast" said Mr John Cavanagh, Council's Manager of Waste, Health and Regulatory Services.

This app provides a quick and simple way for residents to answer those common questions about their waste and recycling service such as:

    “Is tonight bin night?”
    “Do I place my recycling or organics bin out tonight?”
    “Can I recycle this item?”
    “Where do I take this item for disposal, and can it be recycled?”

This new Council app will enable residents to easily find the following information:

    find out their collection days for waste collection services;
    find out about the next scheduled bulky waste clean-up service;
    set a reminder for their garbage, recycling and garden organics services;
    work out what waste is classed as general, recyclable or organics;
    determine what disposal and recycling options there are for a variety of hazardous wastes, such as computers, batteries or waste oils;
    locate their nearest waste disposal and recycling facilities and current fees;
    report a problem and take a photo of dumped rubbish or littering and send this back to Council for action;
    search frequently asked questions;
    read news and information for upcoming events, such as bulky waste collections, or alerts about updated collection schedules.

The WasteInfo App can be used on Apple and Android smartphones and revolutionises the way in which Council communicates with its residents about important waste management services.  Just visit the Council or Midcoast Waste Services websites to download the app "Midcoast Waste Info".

Anyone who downloads the app before 6 December 2013 will go into the running to win an iPad.

Great Lakes Council's Mayor Cr Jan McWilliams said “this technology brings Council closer to its community and puts the information about a wide range of waste management services into the palm of their hand.

“An important part of the WasteInfo App is that residents can send Council information about littering and dumped rubbish.  Council has limited resources to monitor illegal dumping so giving the community the tools to take a photo, locate the spot on their GPS and email this to Council is a fantastic way of tackling this problem."

“I congratulate the Greater Taree and Gloucester Shire Councils for joining us in adopting this initiative and look forward to residents downloading the App and finding how useful it can be!”

The  WasteInfo App is available FREE for the residents of Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester Council areas to download and use.