Birmingham residents are facing further disruption to their waste collection services as independent protesters have caused significant delays at key council depots. The city council has issued a formal apology after collections were hampered on Wednesday, January 28, marking another setback in the ongoing challenges surrounding refuse services.
Protest Action at Key Depots
The latest disruption occurred when individuals walked directly in front of waste collection vehicles as they attempted to leave two major council depots. The incidents took place at the Perry Barr facility and the Atlas depot located in Tyseley, effectively preventing vehicles from beginning their scheduled rounds.
These protesters are operating independently of the established industrial action organised by the Unite union, whose members remain subject to strict court orders preventing them from engaging in similar disruptive tactics. The Birmingham Worker Solidarity coalition has previously acknowledged conducting demonstrations "in an act of solidarity" with striking bin workers, with similar actions occurring both last year and at the beginning of 2026.
Council Response and Service Impact
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Birmingham City Council addressed the situation directly: "Waste collections 28/1. Protesters are again walking in front of vehicles at two of our depots - Perry Barr & Atlas. This is causing delays. Please leave your bin out as scheduled and we will collect as soon as we can. Apologies for the inconvenience."
The council has emphasised that residents should continue to present their bins according to the regular schedule, with collection teams working to complete rounds as quickly as possible once access issues are resolved. This latest incident represents another chapter in the complex waste collection challenges that have plagued the city for over a year.
Ongoing Industrial Relations Context
The broader industrial dispute between Birmingham City Council and Unite the Union continues unresolved, with fundamental disagreements over jobs and pay remaining entrenched. A council spokeswoman previously commented on the situation, stating: "While we are disappointed the dispute has not been resolved as Unite has rejected all our offers, we are continuing to make regular waste collections and our contingency plan is working."
The authority has provided statistics suggesting some operational improvements despite the challenges, noting: "We have been collecting an average of approximately 1,330 tonnes of kerbside waste every day, more than we did prior to industrial action, and over the last six months we have collected over 100,000 tonnes of kerbside waste."
Service Performance and Future Plans
According to council figures, there has been a reported 22 per cent increase in the tonnage of waste collected per employee and a 52 per cent improvement regarding missed collections. These metrics come alongside separate disputes involving a small number of agency staff with their employer, Job & Talent.
The council maintains that its contingency arrangements are designed to ensure residents receive a minimum of one collection per week while longer-term service improvements are implemented. A spokeswoman added: "Meanwhile we continue to move forward with the service improvements that are long overdue and that our residents need."
The situation remains fluid, with the council monitoring depot access issues while attempting to maintain essential waste services across England's second-largest city. Residents are advised to check for updates through official council channels regarding any further disruptions to scheduled collections.
