As Birmingham’s waste collection services face significant disruptions due to ongoing industrial action by Unite the Union, residents of Sutton Coldfield are preparing for potential impacts on their local waste management. The strikes, which began in January 2025, have led to missed collections and growing concerns about public health and environmental cleanliness across the city.
An online petition demanding immediate action to resolve the ongoing waste collection failures has garnered over 4,000 signatures, reflecting widespread frustration among residents.
Residents are advised to continue placing their bins out on regular collection days; if uncollected, they should leave them out for subsequent pickup attempts. Alternatively, individuals can dispose of waste at one of Birmingham’s five Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), including the Sutton Coldfield HRC. Notably, the Sutton Coldfield HRC has extended its operating hours to accommodate increased demand:
- Weekdays (Monday to Friday): 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Weekends (Saturday and Sunday): 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The industrial action stems from disputes over proposed changes within the waste collection service, particularly the removal of the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role.
Sutton Coldfield residents are advised to stay informed through official council communications and to make use of the extended HRC hours to mitigate any inconvenience caused by the ongoing industrial action.