Why 17,000 tonnes of rotting waste remains uncollected across this city

LocalPolitics
1 Apr 2025 • 1:29 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident due to an ongoing bin strike, resulting in 17,000 tonnes of uncollected waste.
  • The strike, by Unite union members, stems from a dispute over scrapped waste collection and recycling officer roles.
  • The council has implemented a contingency plan, but picket lines blocking depots hinder waste collection efforts.
  • The uncollected waste has led to health and fire risks, prompting the council to seek support from neighbouring authorities and the government.
  • Despite what the council has called a "fair and reasonable" offer, negotiations with Unite have stalled, leaving residents to contend with mounting rubbish.

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