Strike in UK's Second Largest City Leaves Trash Piled High
Briefly

Birmingham is experiencing a significant garbage crisis, with 17,000 tons of trash piling up due to a strike by refuse workers. This standoff has caused an unpleasant situation, attracting vermin and prompting city officials to declare a major incident, allowing access to more resources. Despite some garbage collections continuing and the city maintaining cleanliness in certain areas, many residential neighborhoods are overwhelmed with trash. The situation is unprecedented, according to long-time residents, emphasizing the city's shift from a proud manufacturing heritage to a pressing public health dilemma.
A pungent smell of rotting garbage fills the air. Bulging sacks of trash pile high, some spilling their festering contents.
Birmingham likes to call itself Britain's second city. Right now, it's the nation's garbage capital.
With its heritage as a manufacturing powerhouse and its proud civic history, Birmingham is facing a garbage collection crisis.
I have lived in England for 36 years. I have never seen a situation like this before.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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