Waste Management App Development: Features, Cost (2024)

We can all agree that improper waste disposal is a major threat when it comes to planet safety. That’s the reason issues like missed pickups, overflowing bins, and the ever-growing mountain of trash piling up in vicinities need to be addressed promptly. This can be done via effective and sustainable Waste Management. Discover how waste management app development can offer sustainable solutions

In such a drastic scenario, why not make use of the technology and benefit with minimum efforts and maximum results! Technology has always been a game changer, especially when there is so much to do in a limited time frame. Mobile app solutions can act as a savior in this situation.

Businesses can build waste management mobile application that are integrated with the sustainable and latest technologies. These apps can prove to be game changers for civilians, businesses, and the local bodies to meet the goals of waste prevention, waste recycling, environmental protection, and more.

Talking about figures, Municipal Solid waste generation by 2050 will likely increase by 70% to 3.4 billion metric tons. Almost 20% less waste is recycled every year, so we can see the humongous amount of potential this underrated industry has.

Waste Management Inc. is a big North American Waste Management Company with turnover in billions. According to Statista, the company in 2021 recorded operating revenue of about $17.9 billion. It significantly increased by around 17.8% or $2.7 billion than last year.

When we look globally, the figures are earth-shattering. The global market of waste management was valued at USD 1,293.70 billion in 2022 and as per the predictions it reached more than 1300 Billion in 2023.

Talking about India’s perspective, each year the amount of waste generated in India is close to 62 Million tonnes. Out of 62 million, 42 million tonnes are collected, of which 31 million tonnes are dumped in landfill sites and 12 million tonnes are treated.

All these figures indicate that this industry is like a gold mine that can be capitalized to generate a fortune. So as a business, if you are interested in entering into a waste management business, then you need to have a mobile app that can assist you in that.

We at The NineHertz (app development services provider) can help you in crafting a scalable waste management app development that you can market and sell to people, government bodies, and industries. So if you want to put your best foot forward, read the full article and kick-start your journey. Here you can find an ultimate list of top app development companies in USA.

What is Waste Management App Development?

Waste management is a technique to manage garbage in a way that is smart and eco-friendly. It takes into account all sorts of waste management activities right from waste accumulation to recycling and monitoring, all fall under waste management. The sole motive of effective waste management is to minimize the negative effects of waste on people and the environment as much as possible and make this world a better and safer place to live.

When we talk about waste management app development, it is a method where engineers and developers sit together to craft a robust, intuitive, and scalable mobile app solution that caters to all the needs of effective waste management. A feature-rich waste management mobile application is used by organizations and businesses to dispose of, reuse, reduce, and prevent waste. Waste management applications help in streamlining waste disposal methods like recycling, incineration, landfills, composting, bioremediation, and waste minimization. You might be interested to know about how to create a mobile application?

Top 5 Waste Management Apps

Here are 5 major players that dominate the waste management industry globally:

1. GFL Environmental Inc. (Canada)

GFL Environmental Inc. is a prominent waste management company based in Toronto, Canada. With its headquarters in Toronto, the company employs over 8850 individuals and conducts operations across all provinces in Canada. GFL proudly serves a wide-ranging clientele, including Municipal Corporations, Residential Areas, Industrial Sectors, Educational Institutions, and various other entities. Discover the innovative application for waste management services offered by GFL, a leader in sustainable waste solutions.

2. Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (USA)

Based in the United States, Casella Waste Systems is one of the top players in the waste management sector. The company works with the vision to provide comprehensive waste management services such as recycling, waste collection, and waste disposal. The approach with which the company operates is steady and brings sustainability when it comes to business operations. The company dominates in the northeastern part of the USA and actively takes part in recycling and waste reduction programs.

3. Biffa PLC (UK)

Biffa was established in London in 1912 and today is one of the leading waste management businesses in the UK. The company engages in multiple waste management-related activities like waste collection, recycling, treatment, and technologically sound energy generation services. The primary focus of the company is to minimize the environmental impact of waste disposal.

4. Cleanaway Waste Management (Australia)

This Australian application for waste management that operates in Australia and the United Kingdom was founded in 1979 by Brambles. Cleanaway offers a wide range of waste management services like waste collection, waste recycling, and waste disposal. It deals in both liquid and solid wastes and operates with sustainability and environmental responsibility. Cleanaway plays a major role in minimizing environmental impact by integrating advanced technologies to enhance waste recovery and recycling rates.

5. Veolia Environmental Services (France)

Veolia Environmental Services, formerly Onyx Environmental, is a child concern of Veolia Environment in France. The company has a strong presence in all the major parts of the world in Waste Management and Environmental Services. The services include waste collection, water treatment, waste recycling, and energy recovery. The company has a staff of more than 80,000 people and operates in more than 35 countries around the world.

5 Types of Waste Management Apps

Here are the 5 major types of waste management app helping people and society in their waste management ecosystem:

1. Recycling Locator Apps

With Recycling Locator Apps, users can find the nearest recycling locations where ‘n’ number of recyclable materials can be dropped off. It becomes very easy to locate locations that are convenient to recycle materials like plastic, glass, paper, etc. A user can also filter through various locations depending upon the requirements that each location fulfills as per the facility. All this filtration can also be integrated within such apps.

2. Food Waste Reduction Apps

Food Waste Reduction apps assist users in tracking their groceries, leftovers, and meals in order to minimize food wastage. With such waste management apps, a user can easily track down his kitchen inventory, and get suggestions in terms of recipe ingredients along with expiration date reminders. These apps can help as a great tool in creating awareness among households in decreasing food wastage as much as they can.

3. Waste Tracking Apps

With waste-tracking apps, both companies and individuals can keep track of how much amount of waste they produce for further evaluation. Users can input data on the quantities and types of waste that have been produced. This enables them to figure out areas of improvement and set goals for waste reduction. Generally, these apps provide valuable information on areas like landfill contributions, environmental impact, and recycling rates.

4. Community Clean-up and Reporting Apps

With community clean-up and reporting apps, the communities in general get empowered when it comes to addressing and reporting instances of litter, illegal dumping, or environmental degradation. With a few clicks, users can click pictures or submit information regarding any specific location or event that needs attention, and local authorities and government bodies will immediately consider it to organize clean-up events. These apps help facilitate community engagement in waste management efforts and contribute to maintaining sustainable and clean localities.

5. Recycling E-waste Apps

Recycling E-waste apps are intended to recycle the electronic waste sustainably dumped by people. These apps help in providing details regarding events like e-waste collection drives etc. so that the information can be spread in terms of the exact place to dump the e-waste. Some apps also guide users on the way they can safely remove their personal data from the device before recycling the device. These apps are very crucial in the current technological-driven scenario where modern gadgets have replaced traditional tools.

Waste Management App Development Process

1. Understanding the market and industry

Before taking the big step, know about the game and its rules. Start conducting market research for waste management app development and about the industry and this involves collecting relevant information like what the actual problem is, how it can be solved, is the solution practical or not, what shall be the cost, what are the future prospects, etc. All this will help you get a clear picture and in-depth idea regarding what you are heading towards.

2. Analyzing your competitors

Secondly, you need to have the data of the top industry players in which you are entering. It helps the brand for better positioning. Study the various waste management app development and figure out how they contribute to society in solving problems, who are the stakeholders, what solutions they instill, whether there is a new or unique solution for achieving competitive advantages, etc. Also, study the features and see whether you can integrate the same functionality within your app.

3. Picking the Right Team

We all must have heard that famous line, “You need a team to succeed”. The lone wolf concept has been gone for a toss long while ago as nowadays it is all teams play. Waste management app development is a tricky job and must be taken very seriously as your money, as well as reputation, is at stake. Choose a well-defined app development team that is structured to give you a boost and whose approach is aligned with your company’s goals and vision.

4. Choosing the correct working model

Choosing the right working model is a very important step in your app development cycle as the entire app development is dependent on this decision. This involves properly defining your goals and business needs and taking steps to execute sustainable and cost-effective waste management app development.

5. Making the prototype

Before the actual app, a prototype is built that shows what exactly the app will look like when it is actually made. This process is very helpful in the app development cycle especially when some changes need to be incorporated before the final deployment. Therefore, a business needs to examine this prototype thoroughly and recommend the necessary changes. Any changes beyond this stage might cost you extra money & time.

6. Testing

Perform the final testing multiple times to check all possible bugs and errors. Better testing is directly proportional to better user experience. You can check whether there is any lag in your app and take the necessary steps to fix it. Make sure the UI is intuitive and user-friendly to grab the user’s attention. Perform in-depth testing and check whether all the features are working seamlessly, every icon is performing the respective job, tabs are opening smoothly, etc.

7. Launching and marketing

At last, the time has finally come when you will launch your dream app on the respective platform(s) – Android and iOS for people to download. Effective marketing is very important at this stage. All this is of no use if people are not even aware of your product. So make use of modern tools like social media marketing and digital marketing to reach your target audience.

Key Features of Waste Management Apps

Let’s check the key features that can be integrated into your waste management app development

1. Waste Classification

The waste classification feature will help to a great extent in classifying waste into different categories like hazardous, non-hazardous, e-waste, liquid waste, solid waste, dry waste, wet waste, etc.

2. Waste Management

The waste management app development manage all sorts of waste like food waste, paper waste, chemical waste, plastic waste, organic waste, electronic waste, and other categories of waste along with its disposable modes.

3. Waste Compliance

This feature will enable the app to perform compliance monitoring strategies, on-site and off-site compliance monitoring along compliance auditing.

4. Bin Inventory

The Bin Inventory feature will help the user to see and monitor bins in multiple locations. The user can see the waste cans on the map. Apart from that users can search bin details in terms of its capacity, waste type, locations, waste level, and collection schedules.

5. Bin filling cycle

With this feature, users can know the garbage bin’s filling cycle. It offers filling graphs that provide valuable information in terms of the correct time to collect the waste from the can. Therefore, it helps in saving collection costs and time.

6. Real-Time Data

The sensors can help the user in collecting real-time data from the bin. It helps in understanding whether the waste container is full or empty. Further, the users can predict when the bin will get filled with waste. This all comes under smart management.

7. Bin Distribution

This feature will optimize the bin distribution process. Smart waste management app development identify the spots where the bins are placed to decide the allocation and volume. So based on the location, the container distribution can be altered.

8. Pick Evaluation

Pick evaluation takes into account the number of bins missed and collected at each cycle. The sensors will assist the users in tracking down the missed containers while executing the waste collection process. Also, it helps them in preparing a proper collection schedule.

9. Cost Calculation

One can easily calculate the waste management app development cost for service at fingertips. Some applications use variables as denominations for calculating the overall waste collection expenses. So the cost can be set based on the number of vehicles, bins used, and discharges.

10. Waste collection route

Knowing the best possible route before commuting is very crucial for waste management. Thus, for garbage collection, identifying the best possible route for garbage collection can become very easy for the users.

11. Real-time analytics & reporting

The citizens can file a report in case there are any complaints or issues in the bin. The citizens can also attach their pictures and location. All of this helps in resolving the concerned issue on time by the service provider.

Tech Stack to Make a Waste Management App

To build a waste management application, we recommend the following tech stack. Let me inform you that this is not the only option but this might be a good option for you to build your dream app:

• Server provider – Azure, AWS, Apache
• Programming languages –Python, PHP, Ruby
• Databases – MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL
• Backend – Django, Node.js
• Front End – React Native, ReactJs, Angular
• Pop-up and Form Builder – Poptin
• Payment Gateway – Amazon Payment, Stripe, Wepay, Paypal
• Listing – Foursquare API
• Registration – Google sign-in, Facebook Login SDK
• Display and Programmatic advertising – Facebook Ads, Google Ads, Moat
• Analytics – Google Analytics, Moat, Apple Analytics
• Map and Geolocation – OpenStreetMaps, Google Maps, Mapkit JS

Waste Management App Development Cost

When it comes to building a Waste management app or any app whatsoever, there are a lot of factors that play a crucial role like app complexity, team size, place of development, etc. But on average let us give you a good idea of how much amount you need to spend in case you are planning to develop a waste management mobile application for your business.

If you want to build a basic waste management app with minimal features like waste pickup schedules and user registration, it can cost you anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000. When we talk about advanced features, we have GPS tracking and Payment integration, and integrating such advanced functionalities in your app will significantly raise the bar in terms of cost. An app loaded with such features can cost you from $50,000 to $120,000.

Also, the total cost depends on the platform you choose to deploy your app. Say, for example, deploying your app on Android will cost you less as compared to deploying your app on both platforms – Android and iOS.

The next aspect is to maintain your app and that requires an adequate amount of funding. This cost comes beyond the original development cost but is considered a part of the overall development process.

Therefore, if you wish to spend your hard-earned money on something that is so valuable then it has to be worth it. Go for a waste management mobile application development company that is credible, experienced, and cost-effective to put your best foot forward.

How Do Waste Management Apps Earn Revenue?

Developing a waste management app for your business can be highly rewarding especially when there is so much emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Here we are throwing light on how a waste management app can be monetized, aiming at customer segments and channels:

1. Commercial Users

Different plans are offered by the app such as recycling programs, customized waste management solutions, and compliance tracking. Industries and businesses can subscribe to such plans based on the volume of waste generated or the frequency of required services. The application can charge additional money for specialized services like electronics recycling or a tailor-made solution for meeting specific waste management needs.

2. Residential Users

The waste management app helps in the overall simplification of residential waste disposal with features such as pickup scheduling, disposal tips, and recycling guidelines. For basic services, the user doesn’t have to pay anything, although if he wants to avail of premium benefits such as special pickups and priority scheduling then a minimum subscription fee has to be paid.

3. Local and Government Bodies

The waste management app development helps get things in order for the government and municipal organizations. They streamline communication, reporting, and coordination for activities related to waste management. It provides tailor-made plans featuring comprehensive reporting and analytics. This makes sure that the waste management processes are organized and efficient while providing resourceful information and data through a flexible subscription model.

4. In-App Purchases

A waste management app (if popular) can make money by selling eco-friendly merchandise namely reusable bags, composed bins etc. within the application. An e-commerce website can also be integrated for users to buy sustainable and eco-friendly products.

5. Data Analytics

Data analytics services for businesses and municipalities can help extensively in generating revenue. This service will help optimize the strategies when it comes to efficient and sustainable waste management. If your client is asking for a detailed report then you can charge a decent fee for that.

6. Sponsored Content

Many such companies and brands are working in the same industry. They may want to feature their content within your application and in return, you may charge a significant fee for that. This comes under sponsored content and is a great way to make money. One thing you need to take care of is the fact that the sponsored content should be in sync with the app’s values.

What Are the Challenges Waste Management Companies Face?

There are high chances that as a company you may encounter challenges while dealing with waste management. Below are the primary challenges or hurdles that come as a part and parcel of the waste management business, so let’s have a look.

1. Fractured Mechanism of collection and disposal

One of the major challenges faced by waste management businesses is the absence of suitable collection and disposal infrastructure which ultimately leads to littering and illegal dumping. As a result, the risk of disease outbreak increases and in the past, we have seen so many such events where so and so disease has spread like an epidemic.

2. Financial Limitations

Inadequate funding for waste management programs is another reason that many communities face, especially those residing in developing countries. Many times they lack funding to perform waste management. As a result, this collected waste becomes one of the major threats to the environment and the health of the people living nearby.

3. Absence of local support

The resistance may occur from the local people or bodies due to reasons like lack of knowledge, false beliefs, social and economic barriers, etc. On one hand, people are not flexible enough to adapt to new things and procedures, and on the other businesses might not adopt the best practices to save cost. Also, politics and government policies play a major role in such a scenario.

4. Frequent climate changes

The overall waste management cycle is highly affected by climatic factors like shifting weather patterns and rising temperatures. This makes transportation more challenging and troublesome. On top of that climate change can also lead to landfill degradation causing environmental and public health risks.

5. Technological Constraints

This implies the lack of efficient and cost-friendly technologies for managing and disposing of waste sustainably. The majority of the current waste management technologies used in the industry are inadequate. This results in inefficiencies in terms of the collection and processing of waste.

6. Fluctuating consumer preferences

The increased online shopping has resulted in a spike in packaging waste used to wrap the boxes. These packaging wastes (mainly plastic) cannot be recycled easily and often end up in landfills, leading to the release of greenhouse gasses and environmental degradation. This problem can only be solved by encouraging customers to adopt sustainable waste management practices.

Which is the Best Waste Management App Development Company?

When it comes to app development, The NineHertz is undoubtedly the key player in the industry. The company has catered to multiple industries including healthcare, e-commerce, media & entertainment, education, real estate, and more so the diversity makes The NineHertz an undisputed champion in the app development domain.

We have a decade of experience and we specialize in providing the best waste management app development services at affordable prices all across the globe.

We make sure that the app is loaded with the key features useful for waste collectors, truck drivers, ward managers, helpers, transfer station supervisors, material recovery managers, local residents, industries, and commercial crowds.

Depending on your business needs, we help you craft your desired waste management app that fulfills all of your requirements. Our qualified developers are well-versed in building fully customized and scalable mobile and web applications. So what are you waiting for, just give us a call and kick-start your app development journey.

Conclusion: Waste Management App Development

In the end, it is correct to say that a waste management mobile application adds value not only to the general public but also to the commercial and municipal crowds. In a nutshell, you must give it a thought because there are ‘n’ number of reasons to back this argument.

The waste management app can lead to simplification of the process of waste collection by reducing air pollution and saving time and money to a great extent. With navigation and geolocation features within the application, drivers can choose the shortest path for collecting litter.

It is to be ensured that the waste management app is user-friendly and intuitive so that there are no delays while collecting garbage
and this in turn will help in accelerating the process of garbage collection by notifying people living nearby.

Further, it creates a scenario where both the management and residents can track the real-time location and garbage unloading process. So it is a win-win situation for both parties. Predictions say that in the upcoming time, the waste management process will be upgraded with a feature where the sensor will differentiate between dry and wet waste and identify the garbage leak.

FAQ’s: Waste Management Mobile Application

Q.1 How Do you Create a Waste Management Program?

The creation of an effective waste management program involves the following steps:
1. Consulting with interested parties – This involves interacting with the people who have information on the various waste management-related activities in your locality.

2. Locating potential waste streams – This involves identifying the potential was streams that may occur as a result of a number of activities or events within the community.

3. Analyzing the waste recycling program – This involves noting down all the reuse and recycling options that are available currently to your community within the jurisdictional lines.

4. Evaluating waste collection strategies – Before the waste removal, how can the waste be separated into different waste streams?

5. Determining waste management site locations – Under this stage you determine all the available locations suitable for waste staging and storage, etc.

6. Choosing potential waste management facilities – This involves selecting the available options available in your community, or region in terms of waste management

7. Formulating a community outreach plan – You can decide how your waste management-related information is spread within your community.

8. Addressing health and safety considerations in terms of waste management operations – it takes into account all the associated risks in terms of the potential waste streams along with the usage of decontamination methodologies.

Q.2 How Does Waste Management Make Money?

The companies that are currently operating in the field of waste management make money via a lot of streams namely government contracts, service fees, and resources recovery efforts. The clients who avail of these services can be residents, industries, or corporations.

Q.3 What is meant by Waste Management?

Waste management refers to dealing with all sorts of wastes including household, industrial, organic, biological, biomedical, etc. to ultimately manage and dispose of the same. The waste can be discarded, destroyed, recycled, or reused depending upon the current state and the situation.

Q.4 Is Waste Management a Good Business to Start?

There is a very high chance that this waste management business can make you a lot of money because the market is so huge. The demand and awareness for recycled materials are increasing day by day and a smart business can capitalize on that if executed in the right direction.

Q.5 How Does Waste Management Software Work?

Technologically advanced integrated tools are provided by the waste management software. They work collaboratively with hardware solutions to provide us with data by making use of RFID, GPS, and IoT technology. These technologies help in providing real-time updates and optimization.