Birmingham faces bin collection upheaval with new budget. It includes service cuts, tax increase, and changes to waste management.
The council’s problems stem from some bad decisions. Equal pay issues caused trouble. The new IT system also failed badly. Demands for services went up too. Funding cuts also made things worse.
The city proposed many cuts and fee increases this month. The council will decide on the budget February 25. They plan to switch to collecting trash every other week; it’s a change many disagree with.
The budget has other bin changes. Residents will get a second recycling bin. The budget for 2025/26 includes these five bin and waste changes. The changes sparked a bin strike.
Some people may get trash pickup every two weeks this spring. The council said they will start in April 2025. Sutton Mere Green and Sutton Four Oaks will be first. Lifford depot areas won’t change until November. The council says this plan cuts costs and helps reliability.
The council member for environment spoke previously. He said the changes will improve waste collection for people. The council will offer all residents food waste collection. This comes with a second recycling bin. Residents will use it for paper and cardboard. This also starts in April. If you can’t fit another bin, you can get a sack.
The bulky waste charge is planned to go up to £45. It used to be £35. Garden waste subscriptions may cost more too. They could go up to £61.80 yearly. They increased yearly from £50 to £60 before.
The council will stop some waste prevention work. The street quality audit team will be gone. The team that checks neighborhood waste is affected; it has also been stopped.
The bin strike is still ongoing now. The union said jobs are being cut. The council said the changes improve service and safety. They are trying to resolve the dispute. Everyone is responsible for health and safety. The council will help workers handle these changes. Many workers already chose other options.