Lenny Woodward, a widowed great-grandfather and World War II veteran, lives alone in Norwich. He told The Daily Mail he was confused by new regulations that involve a blue barrel for cardboard and cans, a green box for glass and a black barrel for trash.

"They could have knocked on my door and spoken to me about it instead of putting a note on the bin saying they would not empty it," he said. "It all seems very childish. I've never broken the law before. I haven't even had a parking fine or speeding ticket."

Woodward's daughter said she tried calling the city council and was told only that "rules have to be obeyed."

Normally, Woodward's trash would have remained uncollected for two weeks. But it was picked up after two days -- once the story hit the local newspaper.