Athens Services

Athens Services has been providing waste collection and recycling services in Southern California for over 50 years. Since 1957 Athens has been a leader in the waste industry providing state-of-the-art services including automated waste and recycling collection, green waste recycling, food waste/organics collection and composting, commercial bin and compactor services, construction and demolition services, special waste transportation, transfer and material recovery, storage box rentals, and street/parking lot sweeping in many areas of Southern California. As owners and operators of multiple Material Recovery Facilities, a Composting Facility, plus operation and management of the San Bernardino Landfill system, Athens Services offers the highest diversion waste and recycling programs for residential, commercial and municipal locations.

The Athens Story

Tradition, Service, Innovation

Athens Services has been providing waste collection and recycling services in Southern California for over 50 years. Founded in 1957 by Jack Arakelian, Athens Services has maintained a rich tradition of commitment to service, community and the environment. The Arakelian Family continues to oversee the day-to-day operations of Athens Services, while still empowering their employees at every level. At Athens Services we strive to maintain an attitude of total customer satisfaction. In order to achieve this goal, the entire organization has been structured into customer-driven business entities where quality of service is an obsession.

The Athens Advantage

We offer a variety of state-of-the-art services, including automated waste and recycling collection, green waste recycling programs, organics waste composting, special waste transportation, transfer and materials recovery, storage box rentals, and street and parking lot sweeping services in many areas of Southern California.From one truck in the Athens District of Los Angeles, hence our name, to numerous municipal waste and recycling agreements, street sweeping municipal services, material recovery and composting facilities, operation and management of the San Bernardino Landfill system and over 5 decades of experience Athens Services is the leading waste and recycling company in Southern California. Our long history of service, innovation and tradition demonstrates our ability to meet the waste and recycling needs of any community.

Your Earth, Our Commitment

Athens Services is committed to the environment and supports California as it moves towards a more sustainable future. We are always looking for ways to advance our recycling programs, save precious resources, and create a better environment now and for generations to come.Our Sustainability Manager helps to create and oversee the application of environmentally sustainable practices in our company and the communities and businesses we serve.

Beyond our regular services, here are some ways we are pledging our Earth Commitment!

• Built Southern California's first LEED Certified and solar powered recycling facility
• Operating alternative fuel vehicles and investing in a phase-in plan to convert our entire collection fleet
• Purchasing recycled content and environmentally friendly products whenever possible
• Providing Zero Waste Event Planning, education programs, and facility tours
• Fostering economic growth by partnering with local vendors and supporting local organizations
• Arranging compost giveback programs for community gardens, nonprofits, city events, and beautification projects
• Making for a cleaner environment through street sweeping, parking lot sweeping, and power washing. All of our street sweeping trucks are powered by alternative fuels

WE RECYCLE FOR YOU!

For over 50 years, our family owned and operated company has grown to represent leadership in recycling and sustainability within the communities we serve in Southern California. We offer both residential and commercial recycling services and are prepared to assist businesses in complying with the recycling mandate, AB 341.As one of the largest recyclers in Los Angeles County, Athens Services is committed to helping your business and community meet its disposal needs and better the environment through improved waste management.

Materials Recovery Facilities

This Athens Services' recycling facility, also known as a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), was the first and only mixed waste processor in Los Angeles County when it began operating in 1996. It was expanded and improved in 2007 and is currently one of the highest-diverting mixed waste MRFs in Southern California. This state-of-the-art facility can process 5,000 tons of mixed material each day with virtually no noise or odor impact to the surrounding community. The operations for the MRF are fully enclosed and utilize forced air circulation with carbon filters to assist in odor control. The Athens MRF is strategically located adjacent to the 605 and 60 freeways enabling Athens Services to effectively accommodate cities in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange.There exists a dedicated food waste line to process and remove contaminates from organics before being delivered to our compost facility, American Organics in Victorville, CA.

Sun Valley MRF

Athens Services Sun Valley MRFConveyor lines at Athens high-tech waste separation facility in Sun valley open October 12, 2014. A first of its kind in Los Angeles, this facility is LEED® certified, equipped with a solar power collection system and furnished with the latest energy efficient, environmental controls available in the industry. The operation will be fully enclosed and equipped with fast acting doors and a misting system to assist with mitigating odor, dust, and storm water impacts. Athens is continuing to convert its existing truck and mobile fleet to alternative fuel powered vehicles.The MRF equipment is custom designed by Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) and based on Athens’ extensive experience processing MSW, multi-family, single family and commercial material streams in Southern California. The 80,000-square-foot facility can separate 1,500 tons of waste a day.

The system features a combination of BHS screening, Nihot air and NRT optical technologies to recover recyclables and organics. The system is highly flexible and designed to process the different streams with a blend of automated machinery and manual sorting. All of the high value commodities, such as fiber & containers, go through a series of processing steps to maximize recovery and remove contaminants. Every type of technology used in the system is field proven in these same applications.

City of Irwindale (proposed MRF)

Athens recently signed a long term contract with the City of Irwindale to permit, design, construct and operate a new regional MRF. The facility will have the ability to process mixed waste processing, construction and demolition, organic and green waste, source separated recyclables, transfer, and self-haul recovery.

Recycling
As one of the largest recyclers in Southern California, Athens is committed to helping your community meet its disposal needs through improved waste management. Whether it’s residential or commercial recycling services, Athens has the expertise to meet your needs.

Temporary Bins and Roll off Containers
If you are cleaning out your home or garage you may need a 3-cubic yard bin. If you are removing concrete or asphalt driveway, you will need a low profile 10-cubic yard roll off container. Construction projects may necessitate large 30 cubic yard roll off container. Contact Us (link) for more information specific to your community.

Electronic Waste

What is E-Waste?

Electronic Waste (E-Waste) refers to any electronic equipment nearing its end-of-life. Electronics can include those devices that utilize electrical wiring, plug into an electric outlet, or take a battery or light bulb. Items can include: computers, phones, televisions, refrigerators, circuit boards, flash lights, light up toys and key chains, fluorescent bulbs/tubes, appliances, extension cords, network equipment, video games, all batteries, and more.

Proper Disposal
To avoid an interruption of your service, please do not place electronic waste (E-Waste) into your trash. State and Federal laws require special handling for E-Waste and other potentially hazardous materials.If E-Waste is identified in your trash, it will be tagged and NOT collected.

Athens' Environmental Commitment
It is our commitment to support the California economy and global environment by ensuring the safe and proper disposal of California's electronic waste. Athens Services only partners with E-waste contractors who safely dismantle electronic waste in California. We do not knowingly supply electronic waste to companies who utilize prison labor and/or ship whole units overseas or out-of-state.

Residential Customers
Athens Services encourages residents to Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle their electronics. By donating or selling your electronics, you are helping the environment and your fellow Californians. Athens Services conducts periodic E-waste collections for the cities they service; any upcoming events will be announced through residents’ billing statements. L.A. County also conducts Hazardous Waste Roundups for further details, please call (888) CLEAN-LA. 

ROLL-OFF BOX DIMENSIONS

Athens sets the standard for quality construction and demolition roll off services. Athens Services has been providing waste collection and recycling services in Southern California for over 50 years. We are family-owned and operated, offering a variety of State-of-the-Art services, including automated waste and recycling collection, green waste recycling programs, organics waste composting, special waste transportation, transfer and materials recovery, storage box rentals, and street and parking lot sweeping services in many areas of Southern California.

Customer Service
Athens is committed to proactive, high quality service. From our cellular phone-dispatched service and management personnel to our in-house, service-oriented staff, we respond quickly to your needs and requirements. We are also able to translate over 175 languages.

What is Zero Waste?

• Zero Waste requires that existing recycling and reuse efforts are maximized, while ensuring that products are designed for the environment and have the potential to be repaired, reused, recycled or composted.
• Zero Waste (or pretty darn close) sets a goal for businesses, organizations and municipalities to minimize their discards by at least 90%.
• Everything is considered a RESOURCE; nothing is a waste.
• Priority is placed on “upstream” solutions to eliminate waste before it is created.
• Designed to serve a business’s triple bottom line: People, Profit, Planet.