VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A new mobile app is hoping to clean up parts of the Wabash Valley. “Vigo County Recycles” will help residents dispose of larger items and provide alerts of upcoming township clean ups.
Executive Director of the Vigo County Solid Waste Management District Karrum Nasser said only two counties in Indiana, including Vigo, have an app similar to this.
“Sometimes a lot of people just don’t know where to go with an item or if it can be disposed of,” Nasser said. “This will be a big help.”
At the touch of a fingertip, residents will answer questions and be able to anonymously report about illegal dumping. However, Nasser said most important is that the app is an investment in a cleaner community.
“Recycling is meant to be easy and we’re just trying to make it as easy as possible,” he said. “A lot of people already get their information from their cell phones and this allows them to quickly access the app.”
The app is user friendly. Residents type in their address, say what the item they want to get rid of is and all available information and options appear.
Officials are looking to continue clean-up momentum from the previous year:
- VCSWD recycled 286 tons compared to 103 tons in 2020
- VCSWD held 35 E-Waste events and removed 50 tons of E-Waste
- VCSWD held 14 township cleanups resulting in 129 tons of trash removed
- VCSWD shredded 12 tons of sensitive documents with help from an IDEM grant
“We’re hoping with these efforts and the app, our community will continue to be clean,” Nasser said.
Users will be able to donate an item instead of disposing of it. An option built in to help non-profits struggling to receive donations due to COVID-19 and supply chain issues.
Goodwill continues to be in need of items like men’s clothing and household supplies, according to President Meredith Osburn.
“The need for donations is always there, to employ people with barriers and other workplace disadvantages,” Osburn said. “Without donations from the public, we would not have a mission to support.”
Last year’s county clean-up efforts included adding anti-littering signs and the county seeing a reduction in dumping offenses. In 2022, the goal is to host 25 township clean ups.
“We hope to have more township clean ups and with the app, have all the information for people to use,” County Commissioner Chris Switzer said. “It’s just going to be another great year for us.”
The app is currently in beta-mode, meaning details like missing addresses and spelling errors are being fixed. It is available on the App Store and Google Play.
