The city of Thousand Oaks has signed a 15-year contract with Athens Services, a trash service company. The contract includes waste hauling, recycling and street-sweeping services beginning Jan. 1, 2022. Athens Services aims to make waste collection more sustainable.
On Mar. 9, 2021, The Thousand Oaks City Council approved a 15-year agreement with a new trash collector, Athens Services. The city had previously stayed with two long-standing waste haulers, E.J. Harrison & Sons and Waste Management since 1998.
“In a unanimous 5-0 City Council vote on March 9, Southern California-based Athens Services was awarded the exclusive 15-year franchise waste and recycling collection contract for the City of Thousand Oaks, California. The new agreement aims to advance recycling and compliance with new organics waste regulations,” according to the City of Thousand Oaks Waste report.
Athens Services is a family-owned and operated trash service founded in 1957. They proudly serve more than 42 municipalities and county areas, now adding Thousand Oaks to their growing list. The company focuses on reducing, recycling and composting to redirect valuable resources from landfills.
Athens provides service by hiring and developing people while fostering a safe, healthy and sustainable environment, the Athens way. Athens Sustainability Center is located at 2251 Thousand Oaks Blvd., where customers can learn about recycling, sustainability best practices and get account support.
Vice President of Government Affairs, Rondi Guthrie, addressed the city of Thousand Oaks in a letter regarding the transition.
“It has been a privilege for Athens Services to start providing waste and recycling collection services, along with street sweeping, to the city of Thousand Oaks,” said Guthrie.
In the coming weeks ahead, Athens Services plans to resume organizing the removal of old containers and replacing them with new residential containers. Residents can learn when containers will be delivered by visiting the Athens Services website Residential Services page.
“The first few days are the hardest part of any transition, especially when launching new programs, such as the new organics collection and changing service days,” stated Guthrie. “While the changes may seem like a disruption, the long-term benefits will greatly help our community and environmental goals.”
Many residents feel that Athens’ rules are overwhelming. Athens can issue fines for overweight cans, spillage and if items don’t fall out freely, or if trash containers contain too much of the wrong material.
In addition to the regular trash pickups, Athens Services also offers bulky item pickup and hazardous waste pickup.
For larger households, keeping the lids closed proves to be an additional challenge. This is the case for Thousand Oaks resident Noah Key and his family.
“I understand the environmental and financial aspect of the city’s decision to switch trash providers, but for some residents of Thousand Oaks their rules are a little overwhelming,” said Key. “Our family naturally has a larger output of trash since we have five members in our household.”
The decision to switch to Athens Services was considered based upon certain factors and benefits they offered to the city, as well as a reduction in price.
“The Council moved to award Athens the contract based on a recommendation from City staff and R3 Consulting Group. Athens’ proposal rated #1 in service rates, qualifications, technical approach, sustainability programs and customer service,” stated in the City of Thousand Oaks Waste report.
With the new environmentally conscious trash service, the city is contributing to the sustainable collection and removal of waste. Additional information about trash services can be found directly on the Athens Services website.
