Furious residents have slammed a local council after being told their rubbish will not be collected if their bins are frozen shut in the mornings.
As temperatures this winter drop to -17C in some areas of the country, people have been struggling to get to work with several schools shut last week.
But in Eastleigh, Hampshire, it has also resulted in some people being left with their rubbish for another week as refuse teams have not collected bags if bin lids are frozen shut.
The policy has inflamed local residents, with some offering to help dethaw teams’ vehicles.
Eastleigh borough Council had written on its social channels: “Frozen bins - if it won't open, it can't be collected.
“With temperatures below freezing overnight for the next couple of days and crews out early to collect bins in the borough, it’s likely that your bin could be frozen shut when they arrive.
“If you get a chance, please check on the morning of your collection day that your bin will open.
“Our crews attend to over 11,000 bins every day and unfortunately do not have time to force large numbers of frozen bin lids open.
“If we are unable to open your bin, we will return on your next scheduled collection day.”
The Telegraph reports several unimpressed customers responded to the post, which had also asked people to break up garden waste with a pitchfork before teams arrived.
One person said: “I still think it’s wrong of you to say you won’t collect the bin if the lid is frozen.
“It’s been said it’s our responsibility to ensure our rubbish is collectable. Surely it’s your responsibility to provide bins that can be emptied in British Weather or else to employ people who are able to open them.
“Of course we will all doubtless do our best but to be threatened with non collection is, in my opinion, very wrong.”
Another added: “You have got this completely wrong. Prioritizing lazy bin men over hard working tax payers. We all do our jobs properly, so should they.
“Only moved to Eastleigh 3 months ago and I can’t over exaggerate just how disappointing this is.
“What sort of community treats its residents like this?”
Another replied: “I'm lost for words.
“I'm a nurse - how would they feel if they came into hospital and were asked to put their own cannulas or catheters in because we're too busy, or can't possibly touch someone?”
Others pointed out elderly or disabled people were often unable to clear their bins of frost - especially as collections tended to be early in the morning.
One person said: “I'd rather tug a lid which takes all of three seconds of my time if I was a bin collector, than let an elderly person slip or dislocate their shoulder doing it. Come on! Really!
“Not much effort is it. If they don't empty, why get billed for council tax. Sounds pretty ridiculous.”
Refuse collection days across the country are set to be thrown into chaos this year as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.
A Council spokesperson said: “We are sorry we provided poor advice to residents about frozen bin lids during the recent cold/freezing weather.
"We would like to reassure residents our waste and recycling teams will continue to do their utmost to ensure that bins are emptied on the correct collection day – including opening frozen lids and emptying frozen waste if we can when they experience below zero temperatures and frozen bins”.