Birmingham aims to become the first sustainable city by 2026

• Mar. 6 by Yasmine Hachani (1)

Birmingham might become the first sustainable city in the UK with Be Birmingham’s aim to reduce waste and improve recycling.

In partnership with Birmingham City Council, Be Birmingham – the local strategic partnership that brings together partners from the business, community and voluntary sectors – is working to help reduce waste in the city by 60% by 2026.

Be Birmingham spokesman, Keith Pandom said:

‘Only 32% of Birmingham’s waste is recycled, the rest remains in those big black bags and our aim is to change those habits making people more aware of the recycling processes’.

He  said that  to make this project achievable, the company will be delivering:  a greater coverage of recycling facilities across the city, support to local recycling communities and to recycling champions (like students), who would encourage people to buy products that resolve less waste.

In addition there will be an important sophistication and modernisation of the recycling services allowing residents and businesses to recycle more.

Mr. Pandom added that though the project is due in sixteen years time, Be Birmingham is already taking action.

He said that at the end of this month 99% of Birmingham households will access recycling services and asserted that since its creation in 2001, Be Birmingham has helped with reducing waste by 2 to 3 % a year.