01-05-2025
Birmingham bin strike: how could the heatwave impact your rubbish?
Central
Birmingham bin strikes
Health
Weather
The situation might be improving, but piles of rubbish still remain on the streets of Birmingham.
The strike is now in its eighth week, with talks expected tomorrow (Thursday 1 May) between Unite the Union and Birmingham City Council, with mediators ACAS present.
As those negotiations happen, the UK is set to experience the warmest temperatures in 76 years.
There are already fears about the public health risk associated with rats and bacteria from the bins, but the hot weather is set to exacerbate the problem.
Waste disposal expert Dan Peakman from says heat can make bins smell worse, and increases the prescence of bacteria and rodents, as well as the risk of fires.
Fires
Speaking to ITV News Central, Dan said: 'The plastic that bins are made from isn't likely to catch fire just from sunlight unless it's under a glass roof or a plastic roof which might magnify the sun slightly. Usually they're just likely to melt or change shape slightly.
'Be careful putting paper, cardboard, any kind of fabric or anything that's combustible like aerosol cans - make sure you split up that kind of waste."
Dan is encouraging people to find a shady spot to store bins.
'If you know that the hottest point of the day is roughly around 2pm or if the sun comes in from a particular direction, then put your bin round the side of the house.
'If you're lucky to have a storage unit or something with a cover on, sticking that over will stop that direct sunlight, the same way we sit in the shade when it gets too hot.'
Bad smells and bacteria
In regular waste bins, heat and humidity can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
It can also create bad smells, as heat speeds up the decomposition process and results in odor-causing molecules becoming more volatile.
Dan says: 'The bin itself is easy to clean. Sometimes just spraying it down with a hose, or just get a kettle out there to run some water into it. Maybe some fairy liquid or bleach just to try and kill those smells and get rid of the bacteria every couple of weeks.
'Ensure that you're cleaning out tins and plastic containers when you recycle.
'You've also got to be conscious of not leaving your food waste bin outside all the time. Most likely it's flies that are going to be attracted to the food."
Pests and rodents
Dan says bad smells can attract pests and rodents - like flies and rats.
He says: 'Sticking something heavy on top on your bin is going to detract pests, and if you can keep the bins away from your driveway or curbside until the night before, that's the ideal solution.
'If you have it out on your street, that's a bit of a buffet for the rodents coming up and down the street.'
"Bins lids need to be closed and rubbish properly bagged up"
Birmingham City Council told ITV News Central: "Since the council declared a major incident on 31 March we have been able to deploy our fleet in full and on time. We have now removed all excess waste and returned to scheduled collections within our contingency plan for household waste, meaning one collection per week per household.
"We have repurposed between 40 and 60 housing and street cleansing vehicles and deployed multiple 'grab trucks' to clear large rubbish piles each day, prioritising 15 of the most affected hotspot wards.
"Residents are encouraged to put out their rubbish on their collection day as usual. Bin lids need to be closed and rubbish needs to be properly bagged up. Those that can, can also make use of our Household Recycling Centres, which have extended opening times."
