Privacy policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 1st 2026

Rubbishapp is developed by How / Built by Howie Ltd. This policy explains what information the app handles, why, and what your choices are.

The short version

• You do not need an account. We do not ask for your name, email or phone number.
• Your address is stored on your phone. It is not saved on our servers.
• The app sends your postcode and a random device ID to our server so we can show the right council's schedule and send you relevant in-app messages.
• We collect anonymous usage statistics and crash reports to keep the app working.
• We do not sell your data.

Information the app uses

Your address

To look up your bin collections, the app asks for your postcode and then the address you pick from the list. Your postcode and property reference (UPRN) are sent to our server, which fetches the schedule from your council's website on your behalf. The address you choose is saved on your phone only, so the app can show your collections without asking again. Delete it at any time, or by uninstalling the app.

Device ID

When you first open the app it creates a random identifier that is not linked to you, your phone's serial number or any advertising ID. This ID is sent to our server and, together with your postcode, your council district and the app version you are running, is stored so that we can show you messages relevant to your area (for example a change to collection dates). The ID is deleted from our server after 12 months without the app being opened. Uninstalling the app removes it from your phone, and a new one is created if you reinstall.

Reminders

If you turn on collection reminders, the app schedules notifications on your phone using the operating system. Nothing about your reminders is sent to us. You can switch reminders off in the app or in your phone's notification settings.

Usage statistics

We use PostHog, hosted in the EU, to understand how the app is used — for example how often the collections screen is viewed, and whether a reminder notification led to the app being opened. Events are tied to the random device ID above and include your council district, so we can see which areas the app is used in. We do not use it to identify you.

Crash reports

We use Sentry to collect crash and error reports so we can fix bugs. Reports include technical details such as the type of phone, operating system version, app version and what the app was doing when it failed. When a lookup fails, the report may include the postcode being looked up so we can reproduce the problem. Property references (UPRNs) are removed from these reports before they leave your phone.

What we do not collect

• Your name, email address or phone number
• Your precise location — the app does not use GPS or ask for location permission
• Contacts, photos or files
• Advertising identifiers

Who we share information with

We use a small number of service providers to run the app. They process data on our behalf and are not permitted to use it for their own purposes:

• Your local council — our server sends your postcode and property reference to your council's website to fetch the collection schedule. The council's own privacy policy applies to that request.
• PostHog (EU) — usage statistics.
• Sentry — crash reports.
• An app update service, which receives standard technical information about your device when the app checks for an update.
• A cloud hosting provider in the EU, which runs our server.

We do not sell data.

How long we keep information

Device profiles (device ID, postcode, district, app version) are kept while the app is in use and deleted after 12 months of inactivity. Usage statistics are kept for at least 12 months. Crash reports are only kept until an error has been resolved. Your address stays on your phone until you remove it or uninstall the app.

Legal basis

Under UK data protection law, we process your postcode and device ID because it is necessary to provide the service you asked for (showing your bin collections). We process usage statistics and crash reports on the basis of our legitimate interest in keeping the app working and improving it.

Your rights

You have the right to ask what information we hold about your device, to have it corrected or deleted, and to object to how we use it. Because we do not know who you are, we will need your device ID to find your record — it is shown on the Settings page. To make a request, or if you have any question about this policy, email [email protected].

You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.

Changes to this policy

If we change how the app handles your information we will update this page and ask you to review it the next time you open the app.