Starting this year, all municipalities in New Jersey will be able to use one online platform to communicate recycling program information to their residents.
The state of New Jersey purchased access to the Recycle Coach app on behalf of all counties and other municipal government entities, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced. New Jersey will become the first state to bring the app free of charge to all residents. Recycle Coach provides residents information on collection schedules, accepted and prohibited materials and more.
According to a press release, the software will allow local programs to reduce their communications costs.
“People today get their information from many different sources, and DEP recognizes that adapting to today’s technologies can help us grow our recycling outreach to the public,” Mark Pedersen, assistant commissioner for Site Remediation and Waste Management, stated in the release. “Through Recycle Coach, residents will be able to get reminders of when to put out their waste for collection and recycling, be advised of pickup schedule changes due to weather or truck breakdowns, and access information through the app or other online platforms.”
The software, which is provided by Toronto-based Recycle Coach, is already used by 92 communities in the Garden State. The DEP says it is planning an aggressive implementation schedule in coming months to make Recycle Coach available statewide.
