A Birmingham mosque has been praised for leading a major clean-up effort that collected 120 tons of waste, helping to prevent widespread fly-tipping during the city’s ongoing bin strike.
The UKIM Sparkbrook Islamic Centre and Masjid partnered with Birmingham City Council’s mobile waste crews, supporting more than 1,400 cars and around 2,000 local residents in safely disposing of their rubbish, Birmingham Live reported.
The initiative was widely credited with averting scenes of chaos that had unfolded weeks earlier, when mounting frustration led some residents to dump rubbish on roadsides.
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“This is a shining example of the ongoing partnerships we are developing with community groups across the city to work together in keeping our city clean,” said Councillor Majid Mahmood, head of waste management for Birmingham.
“Thank you to the chair, Mohammed Ishtiaq, and the brilliant volunteers for their support throughout. I’m pleased that after the successful event more community groups approached us offering their facilities.”
The effort followed a particularly disruptive incident on Thursday, April 3, when a JCB had to be called in to clear massive amounts of illegally dumped waste from outside Tyseley Community Centre—trash that had blocked access to a children’s play area. Determined not to see a repeat, the mosque hosted a late-night strategy meeting the same day.
By early Saturday morning, April 5, more than 40 volunteers were on-site, assigned across two car parks. Their task: to efficiently remove bin bags and waste from vehicles, including those with wheelie bins, to keep the area flowing and the clean-up on track.
Positive Community
The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Dozens of Birmingham Live readers praised the initiative, calling it a model for civic responsibility and community spirit.
“Excellent example,” one commenter wrote. “Just think what a wonderful society we’d live in if everyone worked together to support the elderly, resolve crime, and make the streets safer.”
Another added: “Lovely to see people working together. I don’t normally praise councillors, but Mr Mahmood has been doing a great job getting his hands dirty during the strike.”
Others celebrated the project as a reflection of Birmingham’s diverse, resilient community. “Love this. What a wonderful encapsulation of Brum’s diversity and community,” one user wrote.
The success of the event has already inspired other groups across the city to get involved, as the council and local communities look for more collaborative ways to navigate the bin strike and maintain public cleanliness.
As the crisis continues, initiatives like this are proving that small acts of unity and service can make a big difference—one bin bag at a time.