Recycling collected during Birmingham’s bin strike might be burned. The council struggles to maintain waste services.
The council said some recycling might be burned. They try to keep waste collection going. Black bins can be collected with recycling sometimes. The council will try to recover recyclables later, but if not, they burn waste for power.
A council spokesperson discussed the situation. They stated that efforts are underway to minimize issues during this strike period.
Tyseley burns waste and creates electricity, powering up to 60,000 homes. The city has low recycling rates, and the goal is to increase recycling in ten years.
Burning waste releases greenhouse gases. A scientist called it a “climate disaster,” stating burning trash for energy is not a good solution, as it goes against emission reduction goals. Veolia runs the Tyseley plant and follows emissions standards.
Recycling suspension came with tax news, as the council plans a tax increase. Strikes are about abolishing a safety role, which the union says is “safety critical”.
The city says changes improve safety. They are working to resolve the labor dispute and want to minimize disruptions. The council ensures employee safety and offer support to affected workers, many of whom have already opted for new roles, as the council wants a reliable service.