Proof of residency scheme From July 2009 all visitors to Birmingham's Household Recycling Centres will be required to verbally provide their postcode to prove that they are Birmingham residents. If you are not a Birmingham City Council resident, upon arrival you will be given the opportunity to use the site once. Your details will be recorded and for future use you will be directed to the facilities offered by your own council. Details of the Household Recycling Centres operated by neighbouring local authorities are as follows: Sandwell Council: Shidas Lane, Oldbury Solihull Council: Coventry Road, Bickenhill Worcestershire County Council: Quantry Lane, Romsley NB: For Herefordshire & Worcestershire residents only - proof of residency required Walsall Council: Fryers Road, Bloxwich or Mechants Way, Aldridge For further information about the scheme please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Your Council needs you! Becoming a recycling champion Are you a passionate recycler? Do you want to help others to recycle and reduce their waste? If so, then your Council needs you..... The City Council's Recycling Team is looking to recruit volunteer recycling champions to assist the council in spreading its message about recycling and waste reduction. You will be working in your local neighbourhood advising other residents about amongst other things; the kerbside collection services, composting, food waste reduction and real nappies. You will also be working alongside the Recycling Team at local events. Full training will be given. If you require further information or to register your interest please email recycling@birmingham.gov.uk

Temporary closure of Norris Way HRC Norris Way Household Recycling Centre (HRC) in Sutton Coldfield is currently closed for redevelopment. The current layout will be transformed into a split level site to allow better access to the recycling and composting facilities. There will also be a major redesign of the access to prevent traffic build up during busy periods. It is anticipated that the site will be re-opening around the end of July. In the meantime we are advising the public to use the Household Recycling Centres at: Tameside Drive, Castle Bromwich Holford Drive, Perry Barr We apologise for any inconvenience that this redevelopment may cause. Residents are advised that they can continue to use their doorstep recycling service for paper/card, glass, cans and garden waste and that the crews will take all suitable items put out for recycling. Alternative you can use your local paper and bottle banks. For information on the location of paper and bottle banks please call 0121 303 1112 or check our Local Recycling Sites pages.

Recycling Schemes for Birmingham Residents Most households in the city now have a doorstep collection service. This collects paper and card from your blue box and glass, cans and plastic bottles from your green box every fortnight. On alternate weeks we collect your green sack containing garden waste. We hope to roll out the full service to everyone by the end of this year. You can also use the network of around 400 Local Recycling Centres or one of the five Household Recycling Centres in the city. Find out more by using the recycling menu or contact us. In future we hope to bring you the facility to enable you to find out when your recycling collection days are, here on the recycling web pages. In the meantime, please telephone 0121 303 1112 to find out when your collections are.

Battery Recycling Under the new EU Battery Directive, it is now the responsibility of the producers to introduce the facilities for the collection and recycling of waste batteries. You can take them to the following shops where they can be recycled: Currys PC World There are also household battery recycling bins at the Household Recycling Centres Alternatively you can use rechargeable batteries.

Buy a Compost Bin: There are two sizes of bin available - a 220 litre for £14.50 (+ £5 delivery) and 330 litre for £16.50 (+ £5 delivery) Find out how easy it is to start composting and how you can get your compost bin.

Buy a water butt Continuing our popular scheme for 2009, we are pleased to be able to offer water butts for sale at £39.95 with free delivery. As part of the kit you will get: - A 190 litre water butt - A water butt stand - A rain diverter kit To buy your water butt go to www.st2u.co.uk, ring 0845 130 8686 or download the form at the bottom of the page (can also be used to order a compost bin)

Tetra Paks (drinks carton) Recycling Each year 55,000 tonnes of orange, soup and milk cartons are thrown away, equal to 2.3kg per person. But residents in Birmingham, instead of throwing the milk and juice cartons away can now recycle them. Working with ACE (Alliance for Carton Recycling) there are now facilities to collect “Tetra Pak” cartons at the Household Recycling Centres. Unfortunately due to the recycling processes we are unable to take them in the doorstep green box. For more information about Tetra Pak and how they are recycled go to www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk