Recycling In Birmingham: Recycling Rates & Schemes
In partnership with Birmingham City Council, Veolia is working towards achieving a 40% recycling rate by 2026. Research has shown that only 22.5% of household waste is recycled and the city is heavily dependent on incineration. Whilst this recycling rate is low, the city is working hard to make changes to increase their recycling rates.
Birmingham City Recycling
Birmingham, UK, like many other cities around the world, faces significant waste management challenges. However, the city has taken several steps to reduce its waste and increase recycling. Recycling in Birmingham has been given high priority in recent years, with a focus on reducing landfill waste and improving the overall sustainability of the city.
Birmingham Waste Management
In Birmingham, 2 different collections are made for your waste. This includes one for dry recycling such as paper, glass, cardboard, plastic, cans, and one for residual waste. You can also pay £50 a year and also get a third collection of garden waste. You can also report missed collections and access their guide explaining what can go in recycling bins and dates of collections.
The website lists that you can take your bulky waste to a household recycling centre, or you can make an appointment for collection on the bulky waste collection pages.
You may be guilty of an offence if you put these items outside your property without making an appointment. This could result in a £400 fine or prosecution against you.
The Reward Scheme
One initiative aimed at increasing recycling rates in Birmingham is the “Recycling Rewards” scheme. This scheme aimed to encourage residents to recycle by providing incentives such as vouchers, discounts, and cashback offers. Residents can earn points for every item they recycle, which can then be exchanged for rewards at local shops and businesses.
Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice Recycling Programme
Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice runs a range of recycling programmes that help the hospice raise vital funds while recycling items. The initiatives include programmes for recycling ink cartridges, mobile phones, scrap metal, clothes, bags, books and much more.
Birmingham University Recycling Initiatives
‘Junkbusters’ recycling scheme run by the University of Birmingham and Guild of Students won the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Award for the Best Recycling Scheme. The University’s campus also offers a mixed recycling scheme and has said they are a ‘zero waste to landfill’ university.
What Is Junkbusters?
Junkbusters allows students to donate unwanted items such as clothes, books, kitchenware, and small electrical items to charity. At the end of term in 2015, it had far raised more than £100,000 for the British Heart Foundation.
JUNKBUSTERS – GUILD OF STUDENTS
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- In partnership with Birmingham City Council, Veolia is working towards achieving a 40% recycling rate by 2026.
- Research has shown that only 22.5% of household waste is recycled in the city.
We Recycle Cardboard & Plastic Waste In Birmingham
At Plastic Expert, we specialise in recycling both plastic and cardboard in Birmingham for businesses. This includes bulk loads of materials such as packaging, HDPE, LDPE, PET, PVC and much more. If you create a large volume of waste you are looking to dispose of sustainably in Birmingham, get in touch with our team to book your collection.