Athens Services lands contract with California city

Athens Services, which is headquartered in the City of Industry, California, was awarded the exclusive 15-year franchise waste and recycling collection contract by the city of Thousand Oaks, California, in a unanimous 5-0 City Council vote March 9. The city is the second-largest in Ventura County, and the contract includes waste hauling, recycling and street-sweeping services beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

City staff and R3 Consulting Group, Roseville, California, recommended that Athens Services receive the contract, rating the company as the top respondent among the four proposals. Athens’ proposal rated No. 1 in service rates, qualifications, technical approach, sustainability programs and customer service.

City Council members cited Athens’ commitment to advancing recycling programs, investments in the local community and competitive rates as the reasons for their support. According to the staff report, on average, residential households will save $150 annually relative to current charges, for total annual savings of $4.7 million. 

“This is a great achievement for Athens but, more importantly, for the residents and businesses in Thousand Oaks,” says Athens Services Executive Vice President Gary Clifford.

“Athens’ industry-leading recycling and diversion programs will benefit not only the city of Thousand Oaks but also Ventura County at large,” says Athens Executive Vice President Cesar Torres, who will oversee the company’s management of the contract.

Athens will service the city with a fleet of new near-zero-emissions vehicles powered by renewable natural gas (RNG). These vehicles will be procured using a Thousand Oaks address to maintain sales tax revenues in the city, according to the company. This is part of Athens’ commitment to invest in the community and support local businesses while also hiring locals.

Athens Services says it will offer the employees of the incumbent operators, Waste Management and Harrison Industries, who are displaced by the award employment opportunities and bonuses. “Athens will push recycling programs forward with reverence for the past while maintaining what worked,” Clifford says.

Athens established a Sustainability Center at 2251 Thousand Oaks Blvd., the first in Thousand Oaks, where customers can learn about recycling and sustainability best practices and get account support. Customers can contact the center at 805-852-5264 or visit www.athensthousandoaks.com for more information.