LANCASTER – South Glengarry is looking at being more “technologically savvy” when it comes to garbage and recycling.
General Manager of Corporate Services, Lachlan McDonald, presented an option of Recycle Coach to council Monday night.
The cell phone app would allow the township to send push notifications, text messages or email to users, such as reminding them of holiday weekends, so they don’t end up putting out the blue box on a holiday.
Recycle Coach is already being used in Hamilton, Waterloo, Richmond Hill, London, Windsor and North Bay to name a few.
South Glengarry Coun. Lyle Warden loved the idea but also wondered if there were other apps available that would allow additional information, such as community events or road issues.
The township’s current website provider has an app they offer for more than recycling, clerk Kelli Campeau responded.
The Recycle Coach app would cost between $1,500 and $2,900 a year, depending on the level of service and app capabilities.
Right now, South Glengarry is spending upwards of $9,000 to print and mail its recycling calendar.
“As much as I would love to get rid of them, I know that a lot of people still do use them,” McDonald said.
The Recycle Coach program will be considered in the 2018 budget and, if approved, would be rolled out in conjunction with the printed calendars in June or July.
The township would plan on using a summer student for data input to get the app off the ground, since the same person would also be handling the recycling calendar.