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TOLEDO, OH -- City officials and the leadership of Toledo's new private refuse collection service both say that the transition from city operated garbage pickup to the private sector should be seamless and promise that Toledoans will notice very little difference.

Officials from the City of Toledo and Republic Services -- the new provider of refuse collection in the Toledo -- showed off two new trucks that Republic purchased from the city as they described how the transition will work.

Republic will pick up refuse in one half of Toledo starting Monday, August 1. They will assume pickup of the entire city by August 15.

The city's LEAP Forward program that changed residents' scheduled pickup days during weeks with holidays will end. During weeks when there is a national holiday, pickup will be pushed back one day with a Saturday pickup added to the schedule.

Recyclable pickup will continue on a biweekly schedule. Republic will offer a rewards program for residents who recycle. Residents will have the opportunity to earn rewards points that can be redeemed for discounts at local retailers. That program will go into effect on September 1 and residents will be required to register online. Within a few weeks, residents will receive a mailer with an individualized PIN that is required to register.

The containers currently used by the city will continue to be utilized by Republic.

Comments and complaints by residents will now be handled by Republic. Residents who experience problems with collection can call the city's customer service line at (419) 936-2511. Those calls will be forwarded to Republic customer service representatives.

"Our entire team will work hard to ensure that we exceed the highest expectations of our new customers and the city of Toledo, " said Dave Vossmer, general manager at Republic Services. "We'll handle all customer inquiries about the service we're providing and answer questions about the new recycling rewards program, My Republic Reward powered by Recyclebank."

Do you foresee a seamless transfer from the city to Republic Services, or are you expecting problems? What do you think of the end of the LEAP Forward program?