Just Released! Haku Wale’s EcoFinder iPhone App

Saturday, 06. 13. 2009  –  Category: Featured

Haku Wale has partnered with San Francisco’s Environment Department and leading mobile developers to provide information on recycling and proper disposal of materials via an application for the iPhone. The Department’s decision to open their “EcoFinder” data to developers via an XML feed has enabled unique collaborations between the green and web/mobile industries.

San Francisco, CA | June 15th, 2009 – 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. By using the EcoFinder database of local recycling and disposal services made available by SF Environment, Haku Wale and the City of San Francisco are embracing the emerging philosophy of Government 2.0.

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. “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.

The release of the EcoFinder iPhone app also signals the coming of Government 2.0 – what Wikipedia describes as “an attempt to provide more effective processes for government service delivery to individuals and businesses” using the advantages of Web 2.0 technologies. By providing an XML data feed of EcoFinder information developed by Tech Provider, SF Environment has embraced the open data philosophy of today’s world wide web. Mayor Gavin Newsom has been pushing for this kind of change in San Francisco. After announcing a new application that allows residents to contact the City´s 311 Call Center through the social network Twitter, Newsom commented that “We are changing the way cities connect with their government.”

Contact:
Alan Wells, Founder
Haku Wale
925-330-6313
info@hakuwale.com
http://www.hakuwale.com
@alanwells

Links
Ecofinder for iPhone App Store Page
Download EcoFinder for iPhone Screenshots

About Haku Wale (www.HakuWale.com)
Haku Wale is a creative and media services firm that focuses on projects at the convergence of media, technology, design, and sustainability. With expertise in social media platforms, video/audio production, iPhone application development, and web design/development, Haku Wale delivers innovative solutions that help to make the world a better place.

About SF Environment (www.SFEnvironment.org, @sfenvironment)
SF Environment is San Francisco’s Environment Department. SFE’s mission is to improve, enhance, and preserve the environment, and to promote San Francisco’s long-term wellbeing by developing innovative, practical and wide-ranging environmental programs in recycling, toxics reduction, environmental justice, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, and urban forests.

About Nextive (www.Nextive.com, @nextive)
Nextive’s focus is on technology consulting and software development for mobile, social, and internet platforms.  Nextive provides its customers with product design, architecture, and development for their key mobile and social initiatives, specializing in value, access to resources, and quick concept-to-market.

About Tech Provider (www.Tech Provider.com)
Techprovider integrates standards-based, open source information technology in a wide array of business processes and organizations. With expertise in system design, development, and implementation, Techprovider strives to improve the use and value proposition of I.T. services.

About AdMob (www.admob.com)
AdMob is the world’s largest mobile advertising platform, serving more than 6.2 billion mobile banner and text ads per month across a wide range of leading mobile Web sites and applications. AdMob helps advertisers connect with a relevant audience of consumers on mobile devices and gives publishers the ability to effectively monetize their mobile traffic.