New bin collections pilot saves carbon equal to 1,750 cars a year

A trial of new bin collections in north Birmingham has saved an estimated 3,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent since July, the same as taking around 1,750 petrol cars off the city's roads for a year, according to Birmingham City Council.

The waste improvement pilot involves 106,000 households across the north of the city.

Thousands of tonnes diverted

Since the pilot began, participating households have recycled 1,280 tonnes of material and 694 tonnes of food waste. All of it has been kept out of the Tyseley Energy Recovery Facility, where the city's general waste is burned to generate power.

By recycling more and sending less to energy recovery, the council says, materials can be turned into new products, renewable energy and fertiliser.

Fewer rounds, more recycling

The pilot moved general waste to fortnightly collections, which the council says has allowed it to expand recycling and food waste services while cutting collection routes by 20 per cent, making the service more efficient and more reliable.

"These early results show the waste improvement pilot is already making a real difference," said Councillor Joe Peacock, Deputy Cabinet Member for City Services and Digital.

He thanked residents for taking part and said the pilot was helping the council understand the best ways to raise recycling rates and build a more sustainable service. He added that the council would keep listening to residents and use their feedback from the pilot to shape the future of waste collection across Birmingham.