Fortnightly bin rounds could start in city within months

Fortnightly bin collections could be introduced across Birmingham within months after a successful trial.

A pilot scheme in parts of the city replaced weekly rubbish collections with fortnightly ones, alongside weekly food waste pickups and a second recycling bin.

A Birmingham City Council report said the trial, in north Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield, saw better recycling rates and would save £14m a year compared to retaining weekly collections.

An earlier version of the council report said fortnightly collections would return in February, however the authority confirmed no decision had been made.

The proposals, which would also see the return of the bulky waste collections, will be discussed at a meeting before cabinet members sign it off.

It added that the proposed operating model could be delivered despite the ongoing bin strike, as it would not require an increase in overall resources.

However, opposition councillors criticised the prospect of fortnightly general waste collections and called on the administration to retain weekly services.

Reform group leader Councillor Jex Parkin previously said residents deserved an "effective, reliable weekly household waste collection alongside a regular recycling service".

Conservative group leader Councillor Robert Alden also called for weekly collections to be retained, saying this was a commitment made by his party during the election campaign.

Harris Khaliq, the council's cabinet member for city services and digital, previously defended the changes, saying they would be supported by additional clean-up measures and investment in enforcement.

"One of our key commitments as the council's new administration is to clean up this fantastic city, which is why it's essential for the changes in relation to waste collection to go ahead, supported by additional measures," Khaliq said earlier this year.

Last week, the leader of the council said a deal that could end the city's long-running bin strike was in sight.

Liberal Democrat Roger Harmer said the leadership had "worked constructively with Unite over recent months" and agreement was "very close".

"The council is awaiting final advice from its external auditors prior to taking a final decision," he said.

The authority has been in a stand-off with members of the union Unite over pay and job roles for more than 18 months.

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