San Francisco has pledged to recycle 75% of the materials that would otherwise go to a landfill. While the City has performed admirably with the current figure of 72% diversion, SF Environment is still working to get their message of recycling, reuse and proper disposal out to the public.

San Francisco created the “EcoFinder” iPhone App to help residents recycle and dispose of materials. The open data philosophy behind the app is Government 2.0 at work. It is a version of the popular web-based EcoFinder tool.

To help the City of San Francisco reach its aggressive recycling goals, Haku Wale has launched the City of San Francisco’s first iPhone app that uses data from the popular web-based EcoFinder tool. With the EcoFinder iPhone app, produced in partnership with SF Environment (the City’s environment department), Haku Wale is contributing to a growing array of green mobile apps that provide users with information to make lifestyle choices that are better for the environment.

 "The EcoFinder web tool has been extremely popular,” says Lawrence Grodeska, Internet Communications Coordinator for SF Environment. “San Franciscans really want to do the right thing with the unwanted materials in their lives, such as furniture, old electronics or toxic materials like dead batteries."
Until now, the EcoFinder information was only available as a web tool on SFEnvironment.org, but Alan Wells, founder of Haku Wale, saw potential to increase the accessibility of that information. Wells explained, "Bringing the EcoFinder information to an anytime, anywhere platform like the iPhone will make it easier for local residents to recycle and dispose of their waste properly."

To develop the EcoFinder iPhone app, Wells partnered with development firm Nextive, whose expertise was critical to making the EcoFinder iPhone app a reality. To help get the word out about the Ecofinder iPhone Application, Wells also partnered with AdMob, the largest mobile advertising network. The advertising campaign on AdMob’s iPhone network is targeted to reach consumers in the Bay Area. The EcoFinder app is available in the Apple App Store and through www.ecofinderapp.com.