The shape of things to come

Slug: CTY trashcans20p B The Blade/Jeremy Wadsworth Date: 11/19/09 Caption: Nathaniel Craig assembles and stacks new automated trash barrels at the former Doehler Jarvis factory Friday, 11/20/09, in Toledo, Ohio.

Nathaniel Craig assembles and stacks some of Toledo's new automated trash containers at the former Doehler-Jarvis plant at 5400 North Detroit Ave. The city has invested more than $21 million to buy 200,000 of the special trash containers and 40 automated trucks in a cost-cutting move to allow the elimination of 70 trash-collector jobs as crews are downsized from three people to one.

Each home will get two of the 96-gallon containers — one for trash and one for recycling — unless residents had asked for smaller 48-gallon or 64-gallon carts. The conversion to the new system begins Dec. 7, but it may take until March 1 before the entire city is served by the new trash-collection vehicles and crews.