New high-tech equipment will be keeping the streets of Sandwell clean under a new pilot by Sandwell Council.

A new compact sweeper will be used to clean town centre pavements and a new street vacuum will be used to pick up smaller litter.
 
The two vehicles will be used across all town centres in Sandwell and, if proved successful, the council’s waste partner Serco will invest in further vehicles to help keep the borough’s streets free from litter. Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, said:

"These new additions for the street cleansing team will help keep the streets of our town centres clean and free from litter. Obviously, we would prefer people to use the bins provided or take rubbish home rather than litter our streets.
 
"We want our town centres to be vibrant places for the community and inviting so that people return again and again.”
 
Investment in new street cleansing equipment also comes alongside new bin trucks with 18 of the fleet being replaced recently. Plans include further vehicles to be replaced in the coming months. Councillor Carmichael added:

"We have some of the best waste and recycling collection services in the country and still maintain a weekly collection for general waste, recycling and food waste and a free fortnightly collection of garden waste.
 
"The new bin trucks are part of the ongoing investment from Serco and go alongside the relaunch of Sandwell's food waste collections which resume on Monday 28 March after a pause in service due to the pandemic."
 
Residents can find out when their bins are due for collection and details about what can be recycled on Sandwell Council’s website: sandwell.gov.uk/bins.