Residents across the West Midlands are being advised to put their bins out earlier than usual for collection, following a change in contractor schedules. The advice comes from Birmingham City Council, which has reported an increase in missed collections due to timing issues.
Why the Change?
The council has switched to a new waste collection contractor, and the new schedules mean that collection crews may be arriving earlier than residents are used to. To ensure bins are collected, residents are asked to put their bins out by 6:30am on their collection day, rather than the previous 7am guideline.
According to a council spokesperson, “We understand that changes can be inconvenient, but by putting bins out earlier, we can ensure that collections run smoothly and reduce the number of missed collections.”
Impact on Residents
Some residents have reported that their bins were not collected because they were put out too late. The council has urged people to check their collection day and set reminders to put bins out the night before or early in the morning.
“We want to avoid any disruption to our waste service,” the spokesperson added. “By working together, we can keep our streets clean and tidy.”
What to Do If Your Bin Is Missed
If a resident’s bin is missed, they should report it to the council online or via the council’s app. The council will then arrange for a collection within two working days. However, the council stresses that this should not be relied upon as a substitute for putting bins out on time.
The council also reminds residents that bins should be placed at the edge of their property, with the lid closed, and not overfilled. Additional waste can be taken to local recycling centres.
