Residents in Birmingham are being warned they could face a wait of at least five more months for the return of regular recycling collections, as a bitter industrial dispute over bin services marks a bleak one-year anniversary.
A Year of Disruption and Mounting Waste
The strike action, which began on January 6, 2025, has not only led to piles of uncollected rubbish on streets but also forced the complete suspension of recycling services across the city. For twelve long months, locals have had to store their recyclables at home, throw them in with general household waste, or make journeys to local tips.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for environment, acknowledged residents' frustration. He stated the city's recycling rate has plummeted from 23 per cent to 15 per cent as a direct result of the ongoing strike.
Transformation Plan Proceeds Despite Strike
The council confirmed last month that a major overhaul of its waste service is scheduled to proceed in June 2026, irrespective of whether the strike continues. This transformation is a cornerstone of the financially troubled council's recovery plan.
The changes will include:
- Moving household rubbish collections from weekly to fortnightly.
- Introducing weekly food waste collections.
- Providing a second recycling bin for paper and cardboard.
This timeline means that if the strike persists, recycling collections may not resume until around 15 months after they were first halted.
Fly-Tipping Hotspots and Council Response
With the dispute now dragging into 2026, concerns are intensifying over inner-city areas like Bordesley Green, which are struggling with persistent rubbish and fly-tipping. Councillor Mahmood admitted the area has suffered from high levels of reported fly-tipping for years.
"Fly-tipping is an eyesore and a hazard," he said, urging residents to report incidents so the council can take enforcement action. To support residents during the crisis, the council has extended hours and removed the booking system at the Castle Bromwich recycling centre and deployed mobile household recycling sites.
The dispute between the Labour-run council and Unite the union was originally triggered by the removal of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role, with striking workers also raising issues over pay. Council leadership maintains a "fair and reasonable" offer is on the table, while recently published reports suggest fresh negotiations are no longer seen as a viable option.
