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Birmingham's Recycling Crisis: No Collections for Months!
22 Nov
Summary
- Kerbside recycling collections in Birmingham have been suspended since January 2025.
- The ongoing strike by Unite union members has paralyzed the city's waste management.
- Residents are urged to use household recycling centres as collections remain halted.
Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, is grappling with a severe recycling crisis, as kerbside collection services have been entirely suspended. This disruption began in January 2025 and stems from industrial action taken by union Unite, escalating to an all-out strike in March over pay and job security concerns. The prolonged absence of recycling collections has led to widespread criticism.
Councillor Julien Pritchard, leading the Green Party group on the city council, has strongly condemned the situation, describing it as "shameful" and "an absolute joke" that the city lacks basic recycling services for an extended period. The Labour-run authority acknowledged its disappointment that the dispute remains unresolved.
In response to the ongoing strike, the council is urging residents to take their recyclable materials to designated household recycling centres. This measure aims to mitigate the immediate impact of the collection suspension while a resolution to the industrial action is sought, underscoring the significant challenges faced by the city's waste management system.
