Melbourne residents can now schedule their trash and recycling pickups online through the city's website. The system, launched recently, lets users choose specific dates and times for waste collection. City officials say the tool is designed to make waste management more efficient for residents. The website is available at melbourne.gov/waste, where users can create accounts and set up pickup schedules. The online system is part of a broader effort to modernize city services. Residents previously had to call the city's waste department to arrange pickups, a process that often led to long wait times. The new tool allows users to avoid phone lines and set their own schedules. City spokesperson Jane Doe said the system has already received positive feedback from users. 'We’re seeing fewer calls to our office and more residents using the online portal,' she said. The city estimates the system will save residents an average of 20 minutes per pickup request. For seniors and people with mobility issues, the online option reduces the need to travel to city offices or wait on hold. The system also includes reminders for upcoming pickups and allows users to update schedules as needed. Local resident Mark Thompson, who signed up for the service last week, said the change is a welcome improvement. 'It’s much easier to pick a time that works for me instead of waiting for a call center to be available,' he said. The city plans to expand the online system to include yard waste and bulk item pickups in the next six months.