Four cameras now give all views of the truck with a live feed of both video and photo capability operated from a touchscreen control within the cabin.

The system also records live information on the location of the vehicles and condition of the kerbside bin to support customer service and report data back to base.

Council’s environment and waste services manager Michael Alexander said the new system is state-of-the-art within the waste industry and brings both efficiencies and economy to the service.

“The system provides support to both driver and customer in relation to missed service, operator safety and communication,” Mr Alexander said.

While the system provides a range of services and operator improvements it also provides improved safety for pedestrians, particularly children and other road users.

“We often forget these are large vehicles operating in sometimes very confined and congested conditions.”

One of council’s constant challenges and costs is the report of a bin not being serviced. This system now provides conclusive proof with time, date, location and image to either support the driver or customer that it was either missed or not presented.

Council advises residents to present their bin at the kerb prior to 5am on the day of service, make sure bins are at least one metre apart and are not obscured by trees or parked cars.

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Meanwhile, Cessnock City Council has been awarded $200,000 for the development of innovative ways of managing problem waste.

The funding was provided from the Environment Protection Authority’s Innovation in Priority Problem Wastes Management grants program.

The program was developed to encourage creative solutions to manage problem waste such as mattresses, plastics, tyres and nappies.

The grants are part of the NSW Government’s ‘Waste Less, Recycle More’ initiative, which aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, by increasing recycling, reducing illegal dumping and litter and tackling problem wastes.