Food Waste Bins Arriving in Northern Birmingham Wards
Birmingham City Council is rolling out major changes to waste services in northern areas of the city, including the introduction of weekly food waste collections. The pilot, which begins with bin deliveries from June 30 and collections starting July 6, covers wards served by the Perry Barr depot. As part of the transformation, households will receive a second recycling bin, and general rubbish collections will shift from weekly to fortnightly.
Pilot to Assess City-Wide Rollout
The council's new administration, led by Councillor Harris Khaliq, cabinet member for city services and digital, is testing the new system before deciding on a permanent city-wide rollout. “One of our key commitments as the council’s new administration is to clean up this fantastic city, which is why it’s essential that we improve waste collection and test the best way to do this in Birmingham,” Khaliq said. The pilot follows a successful earlier trial that collected over 110 tonnes of food waste since March 2026, converting it into green energy and fertiliser.
What Residents Need to Know About Food Waste Collections
Food waste will be collected every week. Residents will receive a grey indoor kitchen caddy and a larger brown outdoor caddy. The indoor caddy must be emptied into the outdoor one for collection. Acceptable items include meat, fish, bones, fruit, vegetables, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, leftovers, tea bags, coffee grounds, eggs, eggshells, loose pet food, beans, cakes, pastries, mouldy or out-of-date food, and ready meals (packaging removed). Items that cannot be placed in the caddy include any non-food waste, packaging, paper plates, black bags, liquids, oil, fat, flowers, and garden waste.
Tips for Keeping Caddies Clean and Liners
The council advises keeping caddy lids closed securely, cleaning them regularly, and emptying the indoor caddy frequently. Placing kitchen roll at the bottom can absorb moisture. The outdoor caddy should be kept in a shaded area if possible. Residents will receive a roll of caddy liners upon delivery, but can also buy more from supermarkets, use plastic bags, or choose no liner at all. The council will still collect food waste placed directly into the caddy. Replacement caddies can be requested for free via the council’s website using a BRUM Account.
Impact and Next Steps
The pilot aims to increase recycling rates and reduce waste. Khaliq emphasised: “We have listened to people’s concerns and will continue to do so, adjusting the new ways of working based on feedback throughout the pilot phase.” The council will assess the pilot’s effectiveness before deciding on a permanent arrangement for the entire city.
