Waste Management Lessons from Birmingham’s Bin Strike

Overflowing bins, missed collections and streets lined with black sacks have become a familiar sight in parts of Birmingham this year but it doesn’t always take a lengthy strike for waste management issues to become overwhelming. Here we explore the wider consequences of poor waste infrastructure, which are becoming harder to ignore.

The impact: public health and environmental risk

Residents across affected areas in Birmingham are reporting an “apocalyptic” build-up of waste, notably in areas with high population turnover such as social housing or student neighbourhoods.

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) have advised that the rubbish piling up greatly increases fire risk, particularly around high-rise buildings and care homes. The service are urging residents to take extra care when storing and disposing of waste, noting that the biggest risks whilst the backlog of waste grows includes:

blocked bin chutes and communal areas where rubbish can fuel fires and obstruct escape routes
cigarette-related fires caused by improperly discarded ends among the collecting waste
the risk of fly-tipped waste being set alight, either deliberately or accidentally.

Reports from various areas across the city, detail overflowing communal bins, inconsistent recycling services and unfortunately, fly-tipping of bulky waste amid the piles awaiting collection. Local tips have experienced miles of queuing and some residents in flats have been turned away from recycling centres for arriving on foot.

One of the most alarming outcomes is the spike in rat activity. One councillor described “rats the size of dachshunds” amid the waste-strewn strees and reports of vermin sightings have increased citywide. Almost all pests are constantly looking for their next food source and PEST UK explains that rats are constantly searching for their next meal; they will eat anything, especially food waste. As well as a filling feast, waste also provides rats with ideal nesting materials.

The build-up of refuse and delayed bin collections here create a perfect storm for infestation. It serves as a vivid example of how quickly public health and quality of life can deteriorate when basic urban services falter.

The importance of consistent collection

This situation highlights how critical a reliable waste collection service is to the health and functioning of a city. When collections are delayed or missed, particularly in densely populated areas, waste quickly accumulates and becomes unmanageable. These disruptions also hit hardest in areas where residents rely on shared waste infrastructure, such as bin stores and communal containers.

The need for resilient infrastructure

The British Pest Control Association reported a 115% increase in enquiries about rat control across the winter of 2024, even before recent strike action, with many experts linking the surge to reduced collection frequencies and unsecured waste storage in residential areas. The current situation in Birmingham is, unfortunately, not unique. Similar outcomes can occur when elements of the waste management chain break down in any setting, such as lack of bin capacity, poor design, or insecure storage.

Across the UK, in older housing estates, bin stores are often hidden, poorly maintained and prone to anti-social behaviour. If these areas become “no-go” zones and residents avoid using them, side waste and fly-tipping ensues, which in turn attracts vermin.

In social housing, particularly high-rise estates, a lack of designated storage and barriers to legitimate disposal can escalate these issues. Barriers include a lack of knowledge about services or what can be recycled, when collections happen, or how to access bulky waste and charity collections. Where storage is lacking, residents are left with limited options when awaiting collection of bulky items like furniture and appliances.

The waste storage systems in any residential area must meet needs in terms of capacity and safety and should encourage positive waste and recycling behaviours. Put simply, poor quality housing layout and design, including communal, waste and outside areas, can have a real and devastating impact upon residents.

Solutions

Birmingham’s current situation offers a stark reminder of how easily public services can unravel without joined-up, robust infrastructure in place.

Well-designed infrastructure plays a vital role in overall resilience and the continued smooth operating of our waste management. Sufficient capacity, secure containment and clear user guidance are all essential to minimising side waste, deterring pests and keeping public spaces clean.

Across the UK, housing providers and councils are working with metroSTOR to improve communal waste, recycling and storage facilities with secure, clearly signed, fire-safe enclosures that are easy to access and monitor. Placed in prominent, well-lit areas, these units help discourage misuse and fly-tipping and support higher recycling rates.

You can explore some of these product solutions and educational initiatives here.