Binmen given BlackBerrys to ‘get more done on the move’

Binmen are being given BlackBerrys so they can “get more done on the move” and to help head office keep an eye on the location of the vehicles.

Biffa – one of the UK’s largest rubbish collection firms – has given 1,500 of its refuse collectors “rugged BlackBerrys” so they can collect data on customers, download maps and communicate with head office.

The phones can also be used to take photos when households overfill their bins or put general rubbish in the recycling bin, and to keep track of garbage trucks to make sure staff do not take a detour, the Daily Telegraph reported.

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The BlackBerrys form part of a £1.75m deal with Vodafone to supply Biffa with 3,100 devices, including BlackBerrys, dongles and 3G data cards.

Biffa said: “Vodafone will enable Biffa to relay information between its 1,500 refuse collection trucks and Biffa’s head office… so that Biffa can capture information including proof of collection more efficiently and identify the vehicles’ location.”