THERE will be no green bin collections in the city until the second week of January.

With the snow and ice putting paid to Worcester City Council’s bin collections before Christmas the refuse workers are playing catch up.

All this week and the week beginning Monday, January 3 are both black bin collections only.

The next green bin collections will not start until Tuesday, January 11.

Roger Knight, deputy city council leader, reiterated the message about changes to collections after residents put out their green bins earlier this week.

“We’re still clearing the backlog and the black bin waste is the priority,” he said.

“If you’ve been missed this week, (Mon Dec 27 - )then put your black bin out next week on its usual collection day.”

The weather has caused confusion about what bins are being collected but people who are still not clear are being told to log on to the council website at www.worcester.gov.uk or call 01905 722233.

In Wychavon, where collections were suspended altogether, bin collections are back to normal from this week while any bins missed in the week beginning Monday, December 20, will be picked up from Monday, January 3.

During the first full week of 2011, residents are being asked to put out any overspill waste as well.

Recyclable waste should be put in clear plastic bags while landfill waste should go in black bin bags.

Phil Merrick, council waste chief, said: “We apologise for disruptions and thank people for their patience.”