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Environmental Services
The Environmental Services Division addresses all matter related to solid waste collection, hazardous waste and recycling programs provided to the residents and businesses of the City. This includes contract management for the City’s waste hauler to provide services such as solid waste collection, management of a variety of recycling grant programs, providing special outreach and educational programs relating to solid waste and recycling.
Assembly Bills
Environmental services also oversee compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 939 and AB 341, which are both mandated by the State:
- AB 341 requires all businesses and apartment units with 5 or more units must comply with these new regulations effective July 1, 2012 to take action to reuse, recycle, compost, or otherwise divert commercial solid waste from disposal.
- AB 939 mandates local jurisdictions to meet solid waste diversion goals of 50% by 2000. The city has met the requirement and must continue to meet the 50% diversion goal for the city.
Recycling Program
Affiliated Programs
The City has other programs that are provided to the residents and business such as E-waste (Electronic Waste), Used Oil and Rechargeable Battery Recycling program. With these programs, the City will meet the required mandates as well as improve the aesthetics and environment of this community.
Once a year the City in conjunction with Los Angeles County holds a recycling event, which collects tires, old paint, electronic waste, concrete/asphalt, wood, metal.
View additional services:
- Athens Services Phone: 1-888-336-6100
- Multi-Family/Commercial Collection: Athens Services
- Residential Collection: Athens Services
Mandatory Commercial Organic Recycling Requirements (AB 1826)
Beginning April 2016, businesses that generate at least 8 cubic yards of organic waste per week must arrange for the recycling of that waste.
These new requirements are designed to move California to its statewide goal of a 75% recycling rate, including a reduction in the level of organic waste disposal by 50% from its current levels. The overall requirements and a copy of the bill can be found at the CalRecycle website.
Organic waste is defined as:
- Food waste
- Food-soiled waste that is mixed in the food waste
- Green waste
- Landscape and pruning waste
- Non-hazardous wood waste
Brochure
Assembly Bill (AB 2048)
Under Assembly Bill (AB) 2048, many California local and state government agencies are now required to post all current franchise agreements for their solid waste and recycling services online.