Birmingham City Council has announced its bin collection schedule for the Christmas and New Year period, pressing ahead with arrangements despite an ongoing, all-out strike by refuse workers that is now in its eighth month.
Strike Background and Financial Impact
The industrial action, led by the Unite union, began over eight months ago with no resolution in sight. The protracted dispute has come at a significant cost, inflicting a financial impact of at least £14 million on the council, which is already grappling with a severe financial crisis. An agreement to bring the striking bin crews back to work has yet to be reached between the council and union representatives.
Revised Festive Collection Schedule
Household rubbish will be collected over the festive season by the council's agency refuse staff. As is traditional, there will be no collections on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
To manage the holiday period, the council has implemented a revised schedule where all households will see their collection days change. A council spokesperson stated this approach ensures "every resident has a clear collection day rather than relying on a ‘catch-up’ collection."
The specific changes for the Birmingham Christmas and New Year bin collection are as follows:
- If your normal collection is on December 25, it will be collected on December 29.
- If your normal collection is on December 26, it will be collected on December 30.
- If your normal collection is on December 29, it will be collected on December 31.
- If your normal collection is on December 30, it will be collected on January 1.
- If your normal collection is on December 31, it will be collected on January 2.
- If your normal collection is on January 1, it will be collected on January 3.
- If your normal collection is on January 2, it will be collected on January 4.
- Normal collections resume from January 5.
Council Advice for Residents
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, commented on the balancing act, saying: "As always, 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 confirmed that while crews do not work on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, there will be a collection on New Year’s Day.
Cllr Mahmood strongly urged all residents to check the revised schedule, emphasising that "usual collection days will be different so please make sure you check before putting out your bin." He also noted that the city's Household Recycling Centres will be open every day except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reminding residents that they must book a slot before visiting.
Concluding his message, he acknowledged the public's patience during the long-running bin strike, stating, "I know residents have been incredibly patient during the year and I would like to thank them for this."
