Athens Services

Greg Loughnane, President

Construction debris generated during renovation or demolition of buildings, roads, and bridges make up almost one-third of the total waste across the U.S. today. Needless to say that much waste can pose a severe threat to human health and the surrounding environment. Thus, ensuring responsible management of construction waste should be an essential aspect of every sustainable building plan.

Driven by that conviction, a majority of construction companies today are hiring qualified waste collectors to recycle and reuse the enormous amount of debris that emanates from building materials. Besides, with the growing significance of construction waste recycling and reusing, a multitude of environmental regulations have also come forth now. Therefore, construction firms are required to meet and surpass those sustainability protocols by law while diverting their construction waste. However, the challenge remains in terms of collaborating with a capable waste and recycling service provider that understands the precise needs of their clients. Enter Athens Services. With heart and mind into fostering a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment by embracing the best waste diversion practices, this family-owned business has positioned itself as the largest waste diverter and recycling processor in the greater Los Angeles community for the past 60 years.

Athens Services focuses on waste collection and diversion, thereby lending a helping hand to construction companies and the community to preserve valuable environmental resources. One of the main reasons behind the company’s success is its local infrastructure. Athens owns and operates three local materials recovery facilities and an organic waste processing facility. These facilities utilize innovative technology to increase landfill diversion. Over the last few years, Athens has invested in Artificial Intelligence to sort recyclables, a first-of-its-kind Organics Separation Press, which squeezes organic fluid from waste to increase diversion, and continues to make material investments in mission critical infrastructure in line with its focus on disposal avoidance and diversion efforts.

As a result, Athens Services has stayed ahead of state recycling laws, while helping construction and demolition companies meet their projects’ diversion goals.

“We don’t believe in shortcuts. We’re preparing for future diversion needs today,” claims Dave Vaughn, the Executive Vice President of Athens Services. Staying true to this mission, Athens Services helps California construction companies meet their project expectations, without any interruption. And such proven capabilities have ensured that the company is on the speed dial of almost every LA-based construction firm today. “We serve more than half of the Los Angeles in some capacity, and we are always a call away 24/7 so that customers find no difficulty in meeting their waste diversion needs,” says Vaughn.

We don’t believe in shortcuts. We’re preparing for future diversion needs today

The same consultative approach is also seen as a unique value of Athens Services when they undertake new projects. The company performs a thorough analysis to break down the diversion requirements of that project. This helps Athens’ team understand what is required of them logistically and operationally. Then, the company arranges for the pickup and transportation of the construction and demolition waste. The material is delivered to Athens’ Crown Recycling facility, where waste is processed in a closed-loop system to recycle up to 90 percent of the material. These state-of-the-art capabilities are a testament to Athens Services’ resources being at par with big corporate entities in the waste and recycling industry. However, the company likes to stay humble and take pride in being a local service provider.

Even though Athens Services has managed to write many success stories over the last 60 years, the president, at this juncture, shares a recent one. Los Angeles International Airport was challenged with an excessive amount of construction and demolition waste-generated through its expansion. After Athens came in with their closed-loop process, drastic changes were witnessed in the volume diverted from landfills. The airport is now able to achieve new heights in waste diversion goals and positively contribute to a sustainable environment.

And today, even amid a global pandemic, nothing restricts Athens Services from delivering exceptional services to its customers. The company remains committed to its waste collection services while ensuring the safety of its workers, customers, and, by and large, the community. The idea of contributing to the betterment of the environment remains constant with the team. Vaughn states, “We’re going to help our customers work through the pandemic and be there for them when they call us. That’s what we’re here for.” Right now, Athens Services is also gearing up for its moon-shot goal of being an active part of the Olympics 2028, scheduled to be held in Los Angeles. While the event will definitely add a jewel to the city’s crown, the best visitor experience can only be achieved by properly managing the unavoidable yet massive amount of construction and demolition waste generated during the preparation period. And Athens Services is poised to play a significant role in managing the waste that would be generated during this anticipated event.

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Company
Athens Services

Management
Greg Loughnane, President

Description
Athens Services is a local, family-owned waste collection and recycling company that has been a fixture in the greater Los Angeles community for the past 60 years. Athens Services is a family-owned and operated waste collection and recycling company. The company provide innovative, reliable, and high-quality waste processing, recycling, and other environmental services for residential, commercial, and public-sector customers

Athens Services News

Athens Services launches training opportunities for California residents

Athens Services, Industry, California, has launched two on-the-job training opportunities for residents considering a career in heavy-duty vehicle maintenance or commercial trucking. The waste collection and recycling company has partnered with Glendora, California-based Citrus College to develop a heavy truck maintenance program, and with Camino Real Career School in La Puente, California, to develop a commercial driver’s license (CDL) graduate program.
“Athens is offering the maintenance apprenticeship and driver trainee program to provide individuals with the valuable chance to work within our organization while gaining practical, on-the-job training,” says Jojo Delgado, Athens Services’ talent acquisition and retention manager. “Our goal is to equip program participants with essential entry-level job skills and knowledge to help prepare them for potential full-time employment.”
Solid waste facilities run at a frenetic pace, so efficiency is of the utmost importance. Thus, when Polk County Solid Waste Management in Minnesota saw an opportunity to ease the burden on its operators while simultaneously streamlining production, it jumped at the chance.
The heavy truck maintenance certification program is a career and academic pathways program designed exclusively for Athens. The apprenticeship consists of a three-course series at Citrus College that will provide students with an understanding of basic shop maintenance and services. The program will also dive into specific heavy-duty truck components including suspension, steering, brakes and hydraulics.
“Students will receive the fundamentals and training to help them establish a solid foundation that they can then build upon at their prospective place of work,” says Spencer Boldt, a medium and heavy-duty truck technology instructor.
Prospective maintenance technicians will need to register as students at Citrus College to participate in the apprenticeship program. After completing the first course of the series, students will be eligible to apply for a paid apprenticeship in an Athens maintenance shop.
For those interested in getting behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle, Camino Real Career Schools’ CDL graduate program is an opportunity for new graduates to apply for an entry-level commercial driver or equivalent role at Athens. Prospective drivers must register for and complete either the six-week Class A, eight-week Class B or 10-week Class A and B training programs to learn the core elements of commercial trucking.
“The on-the-job training opportunities will help provide industry experience, as well as enhance an applicant’s employability, especially when applying for positions within Athens,” Delgado says.

Hard Work Pays Off at Athens Services

Commercial Driver Enrique Ortiz has found great joy and growth during his time at Athens
Enrique Ortiz joined Athens in 2015, starting his career as a helper and has since worked his way up to a commercial driver. He drives a frontload collection vehicle that services the Koreatown neighborhood as part of the City of Los Angeles recycLA program. He previously worked in the restaurant industry for 23 years, but Enrique says he wished he had found Athens sooner.
“This is an amazing company that allows me to provide for my family,” said Enrique. “I love my job and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. This is the place I want to retire.”
What Enrique loves most about Athens is the positive learning environment. Not only does Athens provide a safe space to build and hone skills, but there are always promotion and leadership opportunities for motivated individuals.
“Be on time, and come to work every day,” said Enrique. “They’ll [Athens] teach you the job—you just have to come in and be responsible.”
On his current route of five years, Enrique has formed close relationships with his customers and he prides himself on providing them with great service.
“Enrique is a great example of the Athens Way,” said Enrique’s supervisor, General Manager Daniel Godoy. “Enrique is all about the people, both customers and colleagues. He is always stepping up to the plate and even trains our newer employees.”
“It’s satisfying when I finish my route knowing everything went nice and smoothly, everyone is happy, customers are satisfied, and I come home safe,” said Enrique. “No matter where you are, when you have a job and you do it well, it makes you happy.”
Enrique resides in Granada Hills with wife of 20 years, Nancy, and their three daughters, Cristina (20), Angelica (11), and Daniela (8). In his free time, Enrique likes to be active and go mountain bike riding with his family.
Enrique encourages anyone looking for a fulfilling career where they can grow and make a difference in their community to explore opportunities at Athens. Visit AthensServices.com/Careers to learn more.
“This is the right company to be at because they’ll [Athens] help you get to where you want to be,” said Enrique.

Athens Services

Remodeling the Local Waste Management Approach

We don’t believe in shortcuts. We’re preparing for future diversion needs today

Athens Services

Athens Services launches training opportunities for California residents

Hard Work Pays Off at Athens Services