PORTLAND, Ore. -- City crews were busy cleaning up quite a wintry mess Monday, while garbage collectors had a two-week backlog to deal with.

Trash crews returned to the streets, making their rounds, working hard to clean up loads of garbage that have been piling up outside Portland homes ever since snow began falling some two weeks ago.

Waste management teams hope to have all the refuse retrieved by week’s end.

Garbage and recyclables had piled high at residences and businesses in southeast Portland in particular.

Commercial trash pickup resumed this weekend and residential collection began Monday morning, providing relief to homeowners like Edward Azevedo, whose trash had piled high.

“I’ve seen a lot of them where people have there containers full; it’s on the ground and everything else,” he said.

December’s record-setting snow fall made it too difficult to make the rounds. Crews were forced to wait until the snow thawed.

“It was too dangerous. We want to service our costumers and it doesn't help us to fall behind,” said Adam Winston, a city waste collector. “It frustrates, we understand that, but our primary is goal is to service our customers safely. It’s not worth someone getting hurt.”

 Background: Focus on post-storm cleanup

Homeowners like Azevedo said they understand -- but that didn’t make things any easier.

“It was awful hard to get around, and the way they had it, the guys would have had a heck of a time getting the containers to the trucks,” Azevedo said.

Waste Management is asking homeowners to put out only two weeks’ worth  of garbage out at the curbs Monday. Management said any more than that could bog down an already taxing job.

Crews said homeowners and businesses could expect a regular trash pickup schedule Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

But Thursday’s service would be delayed until Friday due to the New Year holiday.

Those who normally have their trash picked up on Friday could expect a Saturday pick up.

Waste Management is just asking folks to be patient during these busy and snowy holidays.

 Helpful info: Check your garbage hauler's schedule

Residents and businesses with service from other refuse collectors besides Waste Management should call ahead to find out schedules or click on the link above.