Almost 90 staff from Coventry's Whitley Depot were involved in the unofficial strike on Tuesday that affected tens of thousands of residents, the city council said.
The workers said they were protesting over the suspension of a colleague.
The council said the ongoing issue was still being resolved, but staff had returned to work for now.
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Unite union says it is considering its position to hold a ballot for industrial action, pending the outcome of a decision on its members' suspended colleague.
Its union convenor was suspended by the council for organising an unofficial protest on Monday, union representatives said.
However, the council disputes the claim.
Councillor Rachel Lancaster said the worker in question had not been suspended for organising a protest. She said his suspension was being investigated, but the authority would not comment further.

The 2009 champions won once, against Bangladesh, and suffered defeats by India, New Zealand and Australia.
The team were jeered on their return to Lahore airport, with huge crowds chanting "Shame! Shame!"
Former fast bowler Waqar said: "If my leaving makes things better, then I would do it without delay."
Waqar is in charge as head coach for a second time and his current contract ends in May.
He added: "When there is no cricket at home [because of security concerns in Pakistan] then the foundation will for sure become weak. I place my hands together and beg forgiveness from the nation."
Captain Shahid Afridi, 36, is expected to announce soon whether he will be retiring from internationals or not.

The Shaymen held on until the 75th minute when the 28-year-old forward netted from Bradley Goldberg's cross.
Halifax were then denied an equaliser as Hamza Bencherif saw his shot, following a nice turn, hit the post.
The away side are a point above the drop zone, with Boreham Wood overtaking them after they drew with Barrow.
Bin crews who went on strike leaving 30,000 homes with full rubbish bins have returned to work.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis has "begged forgiveness from the nation" after the side's group-stage exit from the World Twenty20.
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Adam Cunnington's second-half strike was enough to earn Bromley victory as Halifax dropped closer to the relegation places.