Introducing LoopedIn Councils – Formerly Impact Apps.
Across Victoria, and in other parts of Australia, councils are managing some of the biggest shifts in waste and recycling services we’ve seen in years. From the rollout of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins to the introduction of separate glass collections, these changes ask residents to break long-standing habits — and they can feel disruptive if not communicated well.
Traditionally, councils have turned to printed flyers, seasonal waste collection calendars, and letterbox drops to get the word out about service changes. These methods have done the job in the past, but they come with familiar drawbacks — they’re expensive, slow to update, and often end up in the recycling bin before residents even look at them. For councils already under pressure to deliver efficient waste collection and reduce admin costs, print just isn’t keeping pace anymore.
That’s why many councils are turning to digital solutions. With a LoopedIn Councils app, updates can be shared instantly, residents stay informed, and councils keep control. It’s a faster, smarter way to manage service changes — and it’s shaping the future of waste management in Australia and New Zealand.
For years, print has been the default way for councils to communicate changes to residents. But with more complex waste systems being introduced, the cracks in this approach are becoming impossible to ignore.
Flyers and calendars are expensive to produce, and by the time they land in letterboxes, the details may already be out of date. Even when the information is accurate, printed materials are easily misplaced in a pile of post or overlooked entirely, leading to unnecessary calls to already stretched customer service teams.
As councils take on reforms like FOGO and glass collection, relying on print is no longer just inefficient — it’s an obstacle to achieving effective waste management outcomes.
When councils roll out new services, the hardest part is making sure every household understands what’s changing and when. Flyers and calendars can only go so far. They’re expensive to produce, they’re out of date as soon as services shift, and too often they never reach the fridge door in the first place.
LoopedIn Councils was built to give councils a faster, clearer way to manage that communication. Instead of waiting weeks for a print run, councils can send a push notification in seconds. Instead of residents guessing whether their collection has changed, they can check a personalised calendar on their phone and know instantly. And instead of call centres being tied up answering the same “what goes where” questions, residents can use the in-app A–Z recycling guide for quick answers.
It’s about putting councils back in control of the message. The right information, delivered at the right time, means fewer missed collections, fewer calls, and a smoother transition whenever services change.
As the first council to launch on the new LoopedIn Councils app, Murrindindi Shire Council led the way in digital waste communication. With FOGO and glass bin rollouts mandated across Victoria, the council needed a fast, reliable way to inform households and minimise confusion.
The results were immediate. In just one week, nearly one in five households downloaded the app, and more than 22% of residents viewed the new 12-month collection calendar online. The app gave residents the clarity they needed — they could check updated schedules, receive instant notifications about service changes, and access answers to common recycling questions, all in one place.
For council staff, the difference was just as clear. Information could be updated quickly without reprinting or redesigning materials, and call centre pressure dropped as residents began using the app as their go-to source of truth.
“I anticipate savings of $40,000 to $50,000 in printing and mail-out costs as the population becomes more tech-savvy. Beyond cost, the app provides instant access to information that could otherwise take weeks to deliver through traditional mail.”
Murrindindi Shire Council Project Officer
Murrindindi’s early success shows what’s possible when communication is prioritised. By going digital, they delivered clear, consistent information to thousands of residents, supported smoother rollouts, and set the benchmark for other councils to follow.
Victoria might be leading the way with FOGO and glass rollouts, but the communication challenge is one every council in Australia and New Zealand recognises. Whenever services change — whether it’s new bins, updated collection schedules, or shifts driven by state policy — the real test is how well those changes are explained to residents.
If the message doesn’t get through, confusion sets in. Calls to customer service spike, contamination rates rise, and frustration grows on both sides. Councils carry the cost, and residents feel let down.
That’s why digital-first communication isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s becoming essential. Councils that move away from relying solely on print have more flexibility, more control, and a faster way to get the right information to the right people. And when residents know what’s happening, they’re more likely to take part in new services, recycle correctly, and trust their council to deliver.
Across Australia and New Zealand, the councils getting the best results aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets; they’re the ones finding smarter ways to communicate.
How quickly can a council roll out a LoopedIn Councils app?
Most councils launch within weeks. For example, Murrindindi Shire Council reached 17.5% of households in just seven days.
Will residents actually use it?
In short, yes. Brisbane City Council’s app was downloaded by 68% of dwellings, proving that when a council makes waste information simple and accessible, residents are quick to get on board.
Does this replace all print communication?
Not entirely. Councils may still use some printed materials, but the app cuts this in half. This means improved access to more accurate, always-available information while reducing costs.
Book a free demo today and see how your council can deliver efficient waste collection and improved communication with residents.