Bin strikes: We're the residents of Small Heath living with rats, mountains of rubbish and foul smells

Birmingham’s ongoing bin strike has left an unmistakable mark on the city, with uncollected rubbish piling up and public frustration mounting.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Small Heath, where the strike’s impact is impossible to ignore.

Black bags stuffed with waste line the streets, abandoned furniture clutters alleyways, and the air is thick with the stench of rotting food.

Residents have no idea when their bins will next be collected, and for many, the sight—and smell—of overflowing waste has become a daily reality. Whether heading to school, running a business, or simply trying to enjoy their neighborhood, locals find themselves navigating streets choked with rubbish.

Health concerns

Despite reassurances from the council that extra crews have been deployed, the situation in Small Heath remains dire. The longer the strike continues, the greater the risks become - not just for cleanliness but for public health.

Rats and flies have become more frequent visitors, prompting fears of disease and contamination. Some residents say they are afraid to open their windows, while others worry about letting their children play outside.

The warmer weather is only making matters worse, amplifying the foul odour and intensifying concerns about sanitation.

“It’s becoming a joke,” said one frustrated resident. “There’s rubbish everywhere—on the roads, outside shops, outside houses. We’ve had to take our own rubbish to the recycling centre because we can’t just leave it to rot.”

Another resident echoed the frustration: “It smells, there are piles of old clothes and waste on the streets, and the rats are everywhere— especially at night. It’s unbearable.”

For many, the fear goes beyond inconvenience. “I’ve seen rats in my neighbourhood for the first time in years. The bins haven’t been emptied since January, and as the weather gets warmer, the smell is awful,” said one local.

Others pointed to worsening health conditions, from sinus infections to anxiety over hygiene.

Unfair burden?

Adding to the frustration is the perception that some areas are receiving more attention than others. While certain streets have seen collections, others remain untouched for weeks. In Small Heath, many feel neglected, left to deal with the mess on their own.

“The council says extra crews are on the ground, but we don’t see it,” said a local business owner. “We pay taxes, we expect basic services, and yet here we are—living in filth.”

The bin strike has tested patience across the city, but in places like Small Heath, it has become more than just an inconvenience. It has created an urgent public health concern.

Negotiations between refuse workers and the council continue, but for those living among the waste, the wait for a resolution feels endless.

Until an agreement is reached, residents are left to contend with rats, rubbish, and growing fears for their well-being.