Birmingham City Council has officially announced the winter operating schedule for its household recycling centres, as the ongoing bins dispute threatens to extend deep into the festive season.
Strike Impact and Financial Cost
The industrial action, now in its eleventh month, has caused significant disruption across the city, characterised by overflowing waste and tense confrontations. The council has revealed that the strike has inflicted a substantial financial blow, costing the already cash-strapped authority at least £14 million.
Earlier this year, as rubbish piled up, the Labour-run council extended tip opening hours to help manage the increased demand for waste disposal services. With the strike continuing, the council has now confirmed the winter timetable for its five tips.
Winter Tip Opening Hours
The new winter schedule for Birmingham's household recycling centres is as follows:
Monday to Friday:
Tyseley, Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield, and Castle Bromwich will be open from 7am to 6pm. The Kings Norton centre will operate from 7am to 9pm.
Saturday and Sunday:
Tyseley, Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield, and Kings Norton will be open from 8am to 6pm. Castle Bromwich will have shorter hours, from 8am to 4:30pm.
Festive Waste Collection Schedule
Separately, the council has outlined its plans for waste and recycling collections over the Christmas and New Year period. There will be no collections on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
Households that normally have collections on these days will instead be serviced on December 29 and 30 respectively. For all other households, collections will take place on alternative days to the usual schedule.
The council stated this approach is to ensure every resident has a clear collection day, rather than relying on a 'catch-up' service. Collections are scheduled for New Year's Day.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment, commented: "We try to find a balance between providing a service and ensuring our waste crews get to spend time with family and friends over the festive period."
He urged residents to check their specific collection days and confirmed that the city's network of Household Recycling Centres will be open every day except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with bookings required.
The bins strike was initially triggered by a dispute between the council and Unite the union over the removal of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role, with striking workers raising concerns about pay.
