Birmingham City Council is working with the Guild of Students at the University of Birmingham to tackle waste behaviours.

In the first of a series of events planned between the council and the guild, a Love Your Streets event and Junkbusters events took place in Selly Oak, aimed at addressing waste behaviours – and council crews collected over 100 bags of rubbish along with dumped mattresses, sofas and a table. The council’s ongoing ‘Love your Streets’ campaign aims to address a range of issues across the city, such as fly-tipping, fly-posting, waste impact awareness and education on the waste responsibilities of landlords.

The Guild of Students’ Junkbusters campaign aims to encourage a more sustainable way of living by collecting unwanted items that are then used to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “We know clean streets is one of the top priorities for residents in Birmingham.

“The vast majority of students want to dispose of their waste responsibly, but it remains a concern for residents in areas near the city’s universities. As a council we are doing all we can to address this issue but there is a responsibility upon everyone – from long-standing residents to students to landlords – to play their part.

“So, it was really encouraging to see students working alongside council workers as part of Love Your Streets, keeping Selly Oak clean and tidy for the benefit of all who live and work there.”