Decision details

To award a contract to Litter Aware Limited for the supply of Litterlotto and At Home ‘app’ package with virtual bin audit included for a 12 month period from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026 for the sum of £16,000 plus VAT.

To increase the Council’s recycling rate and improve the cleanliness of the borough, there is a need for better communication with residents to achieve bahaviour change that supports increased recycling, reduced waste and littering in the borough. 

Using advanced technology the ‘application’ (mobile phone ‘app’) has been created by Litter Aware Limited working with different Councils and large brands and uses the software easily downloadable or accessible by residents to incentive more recycling at home and more litter picking out in the community.  This is the only provider of an app that we have identified that financially incentivises and rewards residents who participate in litter picking or recycling and is of a unique and specialised nature. 

By depositing litter and recycling correctly user will have access to guaranteed redeemable virtual coins and weekly jack pot prizes.  Waste and collection dates can be loaded into the app to help residents remember collection days reducing missed collections; information can be sent to the app to promote garden waste subscriptions and other recycling initiatives to increase recycling volumes and therefore income as well as reducing contamination helping to increase the quality/sales price of materials.

The ‘app’ does not require any integration with Council systems and is stand alone and managed by the supplier and the resident.  The details of what is provided are contained within the quotation and agreement attached to the cabinet member decision.

Officers have consulted with other Councils who use the app and they all view it as a very useful tool in communicating with residents who don’t use social media and some have suggested significant financial savings as a result however this is more likely to be gained from recycling rates being supported with information to participate in the scheme with the additional benefit of lower contamination and missed collections as set out above. 

More people litter picking will reduce the amount of litter in the borough and may reduce the resource required by Ubico but this is unlikely, it is more likely that it will offset the need for additional staff and avoid revenue costs.  If this is successful it is intended the agreement will be renewed at the end of the 12 month period.

The ‘app’ is purchased on an annual basis (1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026) and will be funded by within existing advertising/marking/communications budget - RYC007 4317.  A waiver will be required to support this decision.

The only alternatives are more social media posts but with a limited number of residents viewing our social media platforms this is not useful in achieving behaviour change; more letters and leaflets through doors however may help however we are trying to reduce the amount of paper we use and this is a costly alternative to reaching all households although some leaflets and letters will be required to support this initiative.

Internal consultation has taken place with relevant officers.  The Cabinet Member Waste, Recycling and Public Realm has been consulted.  Officers and the cabinet member agree there is a need to procure this with a view to increasing recycling rates, reducing littering and avoiding revenue costs.