Alexa users in Falkirk can now ask the smart device for their next bin collection dates.

You’ll get the information by simply asking: "Alexa, ask Falkirk Council: when’s my next bin collection?"

It’s Falkirk Council’s first entry in providing information through voice recognition technology – which can greatly enhance the lives of people living with disabilities – with other voice-activated services a possibility depending on usage.

How does it work?

This Alexa skill uses the address location in your Amazon Alexa account to provide details about the next Falkirk Council bin collection due at your property. 

After adding the skill in your Amazon account, you’ll be asked for permission to access the address location stored in your Alexa device’s settings. This permission is required in order for the skill to work and to identify your bin collection schedule.

Once it has permission to access your address information, you can say "Alexa, ask Falkirk Council: when is my next bin collection?" to get the information.

This skill only works for residents in the Falkirk Council area.

What is Alexa?

Alexa is Amazon’s cloud-based voice service available on more than 100 million devices from Amazon and third-party device manufacturers. 

Voice-operated services gives users an easy, hands-free way to interact with the technology they use every day.

The tech has been the bedrock of our Technology Enabled Care and Analogue to Digital Telecare projects, which help vulnerable people being assisted by our Mobile Emergency Care Service (MECS). 

What about my personal data?

For information on how we process, store and handle your personal data please refer to our privacy notice for Amazon Alexa: falkirk.gov.uk/privacy/alexa