Birmingham Council Bin Strike Update

birmingham city council bin strikes

Residents and businesses across Birmingham are bracing for continued disruption as Birmingham City Council’s commercial waste services are impacted by further industrial action from Unite the Union. If your business relies on council collections, you may need to explore alternatives to keep your waste services running smoothly. 

As Birmingham waste management providers we feel obliged to keep our current and prospective customers abreast of the situation. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about the strike and its impact.

When Will Birmingham Council Waste Workers be on Strike?

There has been disruption to waste collection services since January 2025, and according to the official announcement on Birmingham City Council’s website, industrial action escalated to 5 days per week, meaning continuous action from Monday to Friday. 

While some collections may resume, the majority of waste services are expected to be affected for the duration of the dispute. The council advises residents and businesses to make alternative arrangements where possible. 

Which Services are Affected?

Numerous services are subject to considerable impact: 

  • Household bin collection will not be carried out on weekdays, and it is not guaranteed that weekend collections will take place. 
  • Kerbside recycling collection is on hold for the duration of the strike. 
  • Neatly bundled side-waste (for example cardboard and newspaper) will continue to be collected along with household bins. 
  • Garden waste, which is a paid subscription in Birmingham, is on hold. Subscribers with outstanding credit are eligible for refunds. 
  • Bulky waste collection is on hold, although collections that were already booked will still be honoured. 

The council advises residents to take their waste to one of the city’s Household Recycling Centres if they are able to, or to hold onto their waste until regular collection resumes if not. 

Why Are Birmingham Council Waste Workers Striking?

The strike action relates to an ongoing dispute between the council and Unite the Union over pay, working conditions, and concerns about job grading. Unite has stated that refuse workers feel undervalued and are calling for fairer treatment. The council maintains that their proposed route forward enables them to fulfil their commitment to improving the Waste Service and comes after careful consideration. 

  • You can read Birmingham Council’s response to the escalated industrial action here
  • You can read an update from Unite here

These strikes follow a period of financial difficulty for the council, which declared effective bankruptcy in September 2023

When Is the Birmingham Council Waste Collection Service Expected to Resume?

There is currently no confirmed date for when the dispute will be resolved or when full commercial waste services will resume. 

The council is continuing negotiations with union representatives, but in the meantime, service delays and missed collections are expected to continue. 

What Are Your Options in Birmingham for Commercial Waste During the Strike?

If your business is being impacted by the strike, it’s important to act fast to avoid waste piling up. 

Waste Managed offers a reliable alternative for Birmingham waste management, including: 

  • Scheduled general waste collections 
  • Paper, cardboard & dry mixed recycling 
  • Food & glass waste collection 
  • Flexible bin sizes and collection frequencies 
  • Fully compliant Duty of Care documentation 

We can get you set up quickly so your business operations stay clean, legal, and uninterrupted. 

Contact Waste Managed for Commercial Waste Collection in Birmingham

We’re already helping businesses across Birmingham stay on top of their waste collections during the strike. If you need a dependable solution, we’re here to help

Our friendly team can advise on the best setup for your needs and get you started without delay. 

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