National Waste & Recycling Workers Week at Athens Services

athens services national waste & recycling workers week 2026

At Athens, most people know Jorge Rivera by another name.

“Little George,” a transfer truck driver in City of Industry who recently marked 12 years with Athens, has built a reputation for doing the job the right way. He wears his PPE, takes safety seriously, and looks out for the people around him; and after more than a decade in waste and recycling, he knows safety can be the difference between a normal day and a life-changing one.

This June, as Athens recognizes National Waste & Recycling Workers Week, Jorge’s story offers a closer look at the people behind the work. Waste and recycling workers are often seen for only a few moments at a time, from the curb or on the road, however behind every route is a skilled workforce operating heavy equipment, managing real hazards, serving neighborhoods, and helping keep communities clean, safe, and moving.

Jorge Rivera | Transfer Truck Driver

Safety First, Always

The first thing to know about Jorge, and every Athens driver, is that they always have their gear: steel-toed boots, safety vest, badge, gloves, hard hat, and additional PPE when the job requires it. Early in his career, Jorge was at a landfill and still getting used to wearing personal protective equipment every day. He put on his required hard hat, but at the time, did not recognize the significance of that safety measure.

Then a piece of plywood hit him in the head.

athens services national waste and recycling workers week jorge rivera standing in front of safety poster

Thanks to the hard hat, the plywood bounced off. “It still hurt,” he said. “But all I could think about was how much worse it could have been. That hard hat protected me from what could have been a serious injury.” Now, Jorge wears his PPE anywhere the job requires it, understanding that safety equipment exists for a reason, and taking pride in setting that example for others. It is part of why he became the person people recognize from the safety poster: always wearing his PPE, encouraging others to do the same, and helping foster a culture of safety at Athens.

As a transfer truck driver, his work happens after most residents have already rolled their carts back from the curb, transferring material from Athens’ facilities to the landfill. When filled, his truck weighs over 80,000 pounds, about 25 times heavier than an average passenger vehicle. That weight is not fixed or evenly distributed and is often hundreds of thousands of pieces of material that shift as he drives, making road awareness, speed, and braking distance critical to his safety and the safety of everyone around him.

One of the biggest challenges, Jorge shared, is that other drivers may not always realize how much space a truck needs to stop. “When I leave space between my truck and the car ahead of me, the gap is not for driving – it’s for braking” he said. “We’re taught to leave six to eight seconds of space because that is what it takes to stop safely.” That constant awareness is part of the job. Every day requires focus, patience, and respect for the equipment to keep everyone on the road safe.

A Career Built on Pride and Responsibility

Jorge never planned for a career in waste and recycling, but he took a chance. Twelve years later, he describes that decision as something that changed his life. Athens provided financial stability, purpose in his professional life, and the ability to create the life he wanted for his five children. “I went from wondering what I was going to do about dinner to taking my kids to Disneyland,” he shared. “They take care of us here…I really love this company.”

Athens’ culture is rooted in being a family-run business, but Jorge believes it shows up most clearly in the values people bring with them to work every day. “I want to give a hug to whoever is in charge of hiring,” he laughed. “Especially in our Operations Team – I feel like I have an all-star team. They hire people who work hard, treat each other with respect, and bring good energy to the job.”

Drivers, sorters, mechanics, operations teams, customer service representatives, and facility leads all play a role in keeping material moving safely and efficiently. The work is physical, technical, and often goes unnoticed until it stops. “It is all the things people never think about,” Jorge said. “You don’t really notice your trash getting picked up or the streets being cleaned until it stops getting done. If we didn’t show up, or take pride in a job getting done right, people would notice right away. We keep cities clean.”

One Athens: One Standard Across Every Route

Examples of commitment to safety, service, and doing the job right can be found in every corner of the company. Here are a few we’re highlighting during NWRWW:

For Brian Bravo, a Roll-off Driver at the Valley Yard, safety starts before the first stop. “It’s about not skipping the little things,” Brian said. “Every time we get in the truck, we check the brakes. We check the lights. We make sure the truck is ready to go. Even if someone else just got out of it, you still check it yourself because once you’re behind the wheel, it is your responsibility.”

Brian Bravo | Roll-off Driver

athens services national waste and recycling workers week enrique ortiz solomon capetilo jose dinarte commercial drivers

Enrique Ortiz, Solomon Capetilo, and Jose Dinarte

For Enrique Ortiz, Commercial Driver and Driver Trainer based out of Los Angeles North (LANO), the job is about setting the standard for others. “I have been a commercial driver with Athens for a long time, and to me, the job always comes back to safety,” Enrique said. “You have to do it right the first time, set the example, and teach others how to do it right”

For Jose Dinarte, Commercial and Scout Driver at LANO, the work requires commitment, responsibility, and the right attitude. “What I really like about my job is being on the move and working out on the streets,” Jose said. “It requires commitment and responsibility, for people and for vehicles. Every day is different, and you run into different situations and challenges, so the most important thing is having the right attitude and staying focused on doing the job safely.”

For Edmundo Rosas, Street Sweeper Driver from Thousand Oaks, safety and service go hand in hand with patience. “You have to be patient and take your time with it,” Edmundo said. “You want to do a good job, look back, and be proud of the work you’ve done. Keeping the streets clean matters for the community and everyone who lives there.”

Edmundo Rosas | Street Sweeper Driver

Abraham Alcaraz | Residential Driver

For Abraham Alcaraz, a residential driver serving Thousand Oaks, safety is personal. “The work we do is essential, and safety is my top priority every day,” Abraham said. “I am out on the road all day, and the most important stop is the one at the end of my route: my driveway. The goal is to do the job safely and make it home.”

Together, these drivers represent the standard Athens carries across routes, facilities, and job types every day. “Our drivers and frontline Operations Team are the ones who keep everything moving safely,” said Matthew Niklas, Senior Executive Vice President of Operations at Athens Services. “They operate heavy equipment, navigate busy streets, look out for one another, and serve our communities with a level of focus and professionalism that often goes unseen. We’re proud to recognize their hard work and the commitment they bring to the job. And to every member of our team keeping Athens safe and successful: thank you.”

Because behind every clean street, emptied container, recovered material, and safely completed route are people like Jorge, Brian, Enrique, Edmundo, Jose, and Abraham, along with a whole team across Athens who take pride in doing the job safely, and doing it well.

During Waste & Recycling Workers Week, Athens is proud to recognize the people who keep our communities moving, and who make sure the most important stop of the day is always the one home.