Residents in Birmingham's Sutton Coldfield have reported overflowing bins just days after the city council introduced fortnightly household waste collections amid an ongoing bin strike. The pilot scheme, which includes weekly food waste collections, has been rolled out in north Birmingham while recycling services remain suspended due to the long-running industrial dispute.
Health hazards and pests
Locals in Falcon Lodge say overflowing bins are attracting rats, foxes, and insects, with communal waste areas at flats already struggling to cope. Father Phil Sawyer described the situation as "a stinking mess", claiming he has seen rats and no longer lets his son play outside. Residents warn the scheme is creating health hazards and is "shambolic".
Resident and councillor criticism
Resident Gareth Copplestone-Jones said larger families need bigger bins or a return to weekly collections, adding that scheduling errors have left some households waiting up to three weeks for rubbish to be collected. Others criticised the council after food waste collection vehicles reportedly arrived before food waste containers had been delivered. Conservative councillor Richard Parkin also criticised the pilot, saying councillors were not consulted and warning fortnightly collections at flats would fail.
