With less than a week to go, I tried to call the team to find out why I have not received a green wheelie bin or a red box (the grey wheelie bin arrived some time ago).

After trying for 15 minutes to get connected via the published number, I then waited ten minutes listening to puerile and useless information from a recorded message until I finally got to speak to a person. The answer to my inquiry shocked me.

I was told the council had decided that my area did not require green bins. I was told to put all food waste in the grey one. I was told red boxes had to be requested, however in the best call centre tradition, the system was down and would I like to call back later (would the 'Sort It' team like to pay my phone bill?).

According to the very helpful leaflet I received today, I can still receive a weekly food waste collection by putting my waste in both the grey and green wheelies. I won't be able to access such a service because the council has decided not to give me a green bin. It's nice to see the tradition of customer service is alive and well. - Resident, Rugby Road, Leamington (name supplied).