Overview
- Protesters blocked the Atlas and Perry Barr depots on Thursday, prompting the council to tell residents to leave bins out for delayed collections.
- Unite said the protest group was independent and not affiliated with the union as the dispute continued past its January 6 one-year mark.
- The council says contingency crews are lifting around 1,330 tonnes a day with a 52% reduction in missed collections and a 22% rise in tonnage per employee, though some agency staff have also struck.
- Government-appointed commissioners support the council’s move to alternative arrangements and say resuming negotiations is not a viable option.
- Recycling remains suspended, and the council plans from June 2026 to shift to fortnightly residual collections, add weekly food waste pickups and introduce a second recycling bin for paper and card.