News Flash

The city has launched a new app and online tool that takes the guesswork out of curbside collections, be it garbage, recycling, yard waste, brush or bulky item collection.

The app is called Winston-Salem Collects and is free for Apple and Android. It sends out reminders for all curbside collections and holiday collection changes, and has a “waste wizard” look-up feature that tells users how to dispose of items, be it in the garbage, through curbside recycling or at a drop-off site. It also allows users to report missed collections and notifies users of unexpected changes in the collection schedule.

The online version, available at CityofWS.org/Sanitation and at CityofWs.org/Recycling, offers all the features available through the app plus the ability to print personalized collection calendars that include holiday collection changes.

Helen Peplowski, the city’s sustainability director, says the notifications feature will be especially handy during winter storms. “Should we have to cancel collections due to snow or ice, we can notify just those people whose collections were delayed and let them know their make-up day,” she said.

“Likewise,” Peplowski said, “if a collection truck were to break down and a few streets on that route did not get collected, we can notify just the people living on those streets – but only if they have the app or signed up online for notifications”

To download the app, go to the Apple Store or the Play Store and search for the Winston-Salem Collects app. Users will be guided to type in their address when they open the app for the first time. 

For more information go to CityofWS.org/Sanitation.