In-cab technology to improve waste collection services

Lancaster City Council has introduced new technology to help improve its waste and recycling collection service for residents.

The system allows crews to record real time information on any issues with collections via digitial devices within collection vehicles.

This includes bins which have not been put out for collection as well as damaged bins and to relay other problems back to the council’s customer service team as they carry out their daily rounds using in-cab digital tablets.

The new technology also provides collection crews with information on specific elements of the council’s collection service such as assisted collections and garden waste subscriptions.

This in turn will create a more efficient service, so when residents have a query or complaint, the information on the issue is more readily available and response times for enquiries will improve.

Councillor Dave Brookes, cabinet member for environmental services, said:  “Our staff have embraced the introduction of in-cab technology, which is part of the council’s commitment to tackling climate change as well as to improve, modernise and streamline its services.

“This new way of working means that our residents and local businesses will see improvements in the service they receive, with problems being reported quickly.  This will lead to an improvement in response times as well as a reduction in carbon emissions resulting from the additional mileage travelled to deal with reports of missed bins.

“The council is also looking forward to the introduction of route optimisation plans for its collection services and the delivery of two electric collection vehicles later this year as part of the ongoing electrification of our fleet.”

Now that the technology is in operation, the council is reminding residents to make sure their bins and boxes are out for collection by 7am on scheduled collections days, as the crews will no longer be responding to reports of missed bins if residents don’t put them out before this time.

Residents are also being reminded that now that the Household Waste Recycling Centres have re-opened, the council will no longer be taking excess non-recyclable household waste left at the side of wheelie bins. 

Collection crews will be more than happy to take extra recyclable waste if left in carrier bags and boxes (not bin liners) at the side of recycling containers on collection day.

Last updated: 26 September 2020