Refuse and recycling collections have been cancelled for the rest of the week in Torfaen as freezing conditions continue to grip the area.
Torfaen Council say that dangerous conditions have left them with no choice but to cancel all collections.
Snow and freezing weather has already caused widespread disruption to collections over the Christmas period and during the last week.
The Council is now urging everyone to put out both their black and green bins as well as their recycling boxes out for collection on their normal collection day. Arrangements have been made with the council's waste management contractor to ensure all recyclable goods which may be put in refuse trucks will be sorted and will not be sent to landfill.
Weather permitting; crews will then endeavour to pick them up as usual. If problems persist and bins and boxes cannot be collected the council is asking for residents to leave bins and boxes at their usual collection point.
A Council spokesman said: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused but exceptional circumstances, including the worst weather we've faced for nearly 30 years, requires an exceptional solution.
"The backlog now runs into thousands with the freezing conditions making it impossible to catch up this week.
"Every effort was made to collect bins when possible, including drafting in transit vans to collect waste from a number of areas which refuse and recycling vehicles could not access.
"However, these efforts have also been hampered .We would like to thank residents for their patience and support through this period."
The local authority says it is working around the clock to deal with snow and ice on the roads. Main roads have been frequently gritted and gritting vehicles have been fitted with ploughs to clear snow from main routes.
Main routes are being targeted as a priority and although the Council still has a limited stock of salt to help deal with freezing conditions this now needs to be carefully managed because of a national shortage.
This means that only a small number of side roads will be treated including around doctor surgeries and shopping areas.
Only salt bins in critical areas such as up steep hills will now be replenished.
Dangerous conditions have left the Council with no choice but to stop vehicles accessing Blaenavon Cemetery. However, there is still pedestrian access.
Due to national salt shortages and the potential for further snow over the weekend, the council will have to consider reducing the number of primary routes it is gritting to extend the duration of its salt supplies. This will ensure the most critical routes remain clear and will be able to continue dealing with emergency situations.