Queuing to deposit articles at your local tip isn’t a lot of fun and is a waste of time, but that can now become a thing of the past for people living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Residents will now be able to check how busy their local recycling centre is prior to their visit by downloading BCP Tip Check, a new phone app.

Available to both Apple and Android devices, the app has been developed by BCP Council.

The app via a traffic light system, will include live information about current queues, to help residents avoid visiting when a centre is already busy.

BCP Council worked with smart systems specialist, Xpertnest on this new technology, which was created in response to help tackle road congestion in and around the council’s three main recycling centres. BCP Tip Check app also provides additional information about opening hours and the services available at each site.

Cllr Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste, said: “The BCP Tip Check app enables us to digitally inform residents of how busy their local centre is by using live information.

“The last year has been a particular busy one at our recycling centres, with over 750,000 cars visiting our three recycling centres and over 40,000 tonnes of waste disposed of in 2021.

“As a local authority, we continue to make improvements in reducing the amount of waste which goes to landfill. I’m grateful to all our residents who continue to do their bit and dispose of waste responsibly, so collectively we can recycle as much as possible.”

The full web links are: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/bcp-tip-check/id1577024288 and https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xpertnest.tipcheck