Long-delayed changes to waste collection have finally been decided on, at the Birmingham Cabinet meeting on 9th Dec 2025. In their report, the Director of City Operations recommended going ahead with the Waste Transformation Programme. The Waste Department will aim to move away from agency staff and build up a permanent workforce.
The Simpler Recycling Regulations from the government oblige councils to offer households two kinds of recycling, plus a food waste bin. The city would face a fine if this is not implemented by March 2026. This should greatly reduce what is currently put in the mixed rubbish (grey bin), so this will only be collected fortnightly. The government’s Producer Responsibility Fund will provide £15m per year, to help boost recycling rates. There will be a Communications Plan to inform residents, but they will also take feedback on how to improve. Full roll-out will start from June, in blocks of 20,000 households.
The proportion of council-collected waste in 2025 suitable for recycling fell to just 14 or 15%. The remaining mixed refuse has been incinerated at Tyseley and become “skyfill”. This transformation aims to achieve 65% recycling by 2035. The same kind of separated system already produces recycling rates of 48% and 60% for Bristol and Cardiff, respectively. Birmingham Friends of the Earth welcomes these improvements to waste collection, especially where these bring us into line with other cities, so as to successfully increase recycling rates.
Make sure to get in touch with your councillor to ensure the Waste Transformation Programme is implemented. Please see below for a suggested template:
Dear [Councillor’s Name],
I am a resident and voter and I want my household waste to be collected for recycling in 2026. Please support the Waste Transformation Programme which has been announced, and please ensure that it is well communicated, with opportunities for us to influence how it works, so that it is successfully implemented. [Add your own comments/experience]
[Your name and address, with postcode]
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