Birmingham bin strikes: When will my bins be collected in Birmingham amid major strike action 2025?

Later today, the full council is set to consider deeply divisive budget proposals for the next financial year which includes a huge wave of cuts and ‘savings’.

If they are passed by councillors, they will impact bin collections, culture, libraries, parks, street lighting, adult social care day centres and much more.

Among the huge crowd protesting in Victoria Square were refuse workers who have been holding a bins strike since January, leading to mounting waste across the city. The workers, who are members of Unite, began industrial action over the scrapping of a waste recycling and collection officer role, which the union described as “safety-critical”.

Here’s what you need to know about the strikes, which will affect anyone who has their waste collected by Birmingham City Council.

When will there be strike action?

Unite the Union has announced that there will be an increase in strike dates. See the full list of dates:

• Tuesday 4 March 2025
• Thursday 6 March 2025
• Monday 10 March 2025
• Wednesday 12 March 2025
• Friday 14 March 2025
• Monday 17 March 2025
• Tuesday 18 March 2025
• Friday 21 March 2025
• Wednesday 26 March 2025
• Friday 28 March 2025
• Monday 31 March 2025
• Wednesday 2 April 2025
• Friday 4 April 2025

The refuse crews will also work to rule on other days and will not work any overtime. This may also cause further disruption to bin collection services.

What to do on bin strike days - city council advice

Recycling collections are suspended every day during industrial action so do not put your recycling bin (blue lid) out for collection.

A council spokesperson said: “Put your household waste (grey lid) bin out on your normal collection day. If it is not collected, leave it out and we will collect it as soon as we can. Recycling collections are suspended every day during industrial action so do not put your recycling bin (blue lid) out for collection.”

What does the increase in strike days mean for bin collections?Tuesday 4 March 2025

The escalation of the industrial action means the city council will be implementing further changes for residents:

• suspension of recycling collections every day during this period of industrial action
• The council aim for every resident to receive one collection of their bin per week
• The council aim to continue to collect neatly bundled side waste, this could include cardboard and newspaper. Make sure you place any excess waste in black bags and position neatly next to your household waste wheelie bin. Bin lids need to be closed, to reduce the risk of damage to bins and vehicles, and an increase in waste spillage
• resources will be stretched and will be focused on the city council’s housing blocks and houses of multiple occupation. Assisted collections will continue.

What should I do with my recycling?

Recycling collections are suspended every day during this period of industrial action. If you can, take your recycling to a Household Recycling Centre where it will be recycled correctly.

The council will still take a reasonable amount of side waste, including recyclables, which are in black bin bags and neatly positioned next to your household waste wheelie bin.

Find out more on the city council website here.