Zero Waste

Learn how to reduce waste and create a sustainable environment for everyone

Athens Services understands the importance of pursuing zero waste to create a more sustainable environment. We are proud of the many businesses, organizations, and municipalities we service that have adopted zero waste goals and programs, and we are determined to continue educating the community.

What is Zero Waste?

Places priority on “upstream” solutions to eliminate waste before it is created

Everything is a RESOURCE – nothing is a waste

Designed to serve a business’s triple bottom line:
People, Profit, Planet

Sets a goal for businesses, organizations and municipalities to minimize their discards by at least 90%

Why Zero Waste?

By utilizing a zero waste system, homes, businesses and communities first reduce the amount of materials created, saving natural resources, energy and water. The would-be waste material is then reused, recycled, or composted, reducing the amount discarded to landfills. A zero waste system is designed to safely return materials back to industry or soil without any negative effects to humans, animals or our environment. We all live on a finite planet, and discarded material must be handled responsibly.

How Can We Reduce Waste?

Many businesses have adopted Zero Waste goals and action plans, and we encourage researching and contacting businesses directly to better understand their process. At Athens, we have helped numerous businesses achieve their waste reduction goals, and we recommend these helpful tips:

Zero Waste Events and Venues

>> Click here to learn more

Reduce Waste at Home

>> Click here to learn more

Reduce Waste at the Office

>> Click here to learn more

The Value of Composting

Recycle Your Organics Material

Composting is the act of turning organics waste into beneficial soil amendment. It is the most ideal way to recycle your organics material and return it back to the earth, and it can be done in your own backyard! Composting helps eliminate organics that are being sent to landfills, provides a fantastic fertilizer for soil, and helps with water and nutrient retention.

American Organics

Athens Services

Athens Services provides composting through our state-of-the-art facility, American Organics. We process many types of organics materials, including food waste. Currently, we provide food waste collection and composting for municipalities and food service establishments throughout Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. American Organics can create compost blends suitable for industrial, agricultural, municipal, residential or commercial use.

AMERICAN ORGANICS
Hours

7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday – Friday

AMERICAN ORGANICS
Cost

$50 per ton
(cash and credit cards accepted)

AMERICAN ORGANICS
Accepted Waste

Green waste (grass clippings, tree trimmings, brush)

AMERICAN ORGANICS
Prohibited Waste

All loads will be checked – if they contain any of the items below, your load will be denied.

  • Dirt, rocks or boulders
  • Glass, plastics, PVC pipe or hose
  • Oils, chemicals or paint
  • Paper, cardboard or plastic bags
  • Household appliances or furniture
  • Electrical components or computers
  • Tires or metals
Did You Know…

Compostable organics and food waste fill up 30% of California landfills, contributing 12 million tons annually. When organics decompose, they create large quantities of methane. Most landfills have a gas capture that can collect some of the methane that is produced, but not all of it is captured. Methane from landfills makes up 3% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In California, law AB 32 has set a state goal to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

Athens Services

To help reduce sending organics to landfills, we recommend developing a compost program. Athens Services also has a food waste recycling program that many residential and business locations are able to utilize, depending on the city.

Athens Services Compost Giveaways

Athens Services Stock image
Athens Services Stock image
Athens Services Stock image

Pick up some enriching Athens compost at an event near you! Find out more here.

At Home Composting Resources

Reduce Waste at Home
Athens Services

Where food waste pickup is not available, we support at home composting to help reduce sending organics to landfills, reducing GHG emissions in the process.

The following programs provide backyard and worm composting bins, workshops, and tips:

• Smart Gardening Program – LA County Public Works
• Backyard Composting – City of Los Angeles

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