Recycling still 6 months away as strike hits first anniversary

BIRMINGHAM residents may still have to wait several months for recycling collections to return as the bins strike reaches the bleak one year milestone.

- ALEXANDER BROCK

Local resident Gail Burgess has complained about the piles of rubbish in Bordesley Green

The industrial action, which started on January 6 last year, not only left uncollected waste in city streets during its height and attracted unwanted headlines, but it also saw the suspension of recycling collections.

Over the past 12 months, Brummies have had to either hoard their recycling, dispose of it in their household rubbish bins or make trips to the tip.

Birmingham City Council confirmed last month that its delayed transformation of the waste service, which includes the reintroduction of recycling, is set to go ahead this June - regardless of the strike.

This means if the strike does indeed continue into the summer, recycling collections may not return until at least June - around 15 months after they were first suspended.