Residential Trash, Recycling, & Organics

Athens collects recyclables and landfill bound items in the same container. They sort these materials at their Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where recyclables are recovered and diverted from the landfill. Place all recyclables loose (without a bag) in your mixed material container. Plastic bags can get tangled in the recycling facility sorting equipment, which can cause damage and reduce efficiency.

In order to be accepted for recycling all items must be emptied of food and/or liquid before placing in the mixed material container!

Contaminated Containers

Intentionally or unknowingly placing unacceptable items in your mixed material container is considered contamination and may be subject to fees or non-collection of your container. Contamination poses a safety risk to waste workers and may result in the loss of recyclable or compostable material.

Athens collects recyclables and landfill bound items in the same container. They sort this material at their Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where recyclables are recovered and diverted from the landfill. Please place trash in your mixed material container.

Not Accepted

• Bulky Items
• Construction & demolition materials
• Electronic waste
• Hazardous waste
• Hot coals & ash
• Dead animals

The organics container is primarily for the collection of acceptable yard waste.

Athens Services is partnering with Glendora to implement food scrap collection for single-family home residents and multifamily complexes. Per Senate Bill 1383, single-family home residents and multifamily complexes across California will be required to place into their green waste container ALL of their landscaping waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper (100% fiber-based).

Note: "Organics" does not mean organically grown. It refers to items that come from the remains of organisms, such as plants and animals.

Bags for Collecting Food Scraps: Liners/bags are optional. For at home kitchen collection, consider using a kitchen pail lined with newspaper or a paper bag. Plastic and bioplastic "compostable" bags are accepted in the organics container, but they must be CLEAR or translucent-green, and contents inside the bag must be visible. Although Athens "accepts" these bags, they will be ripped open to liberate the contents, and will not be recycled or composted (no matter the material type or certification). Although clear, Ziploc bags are not allowed for collecting food scraps as they are difficult to rip open at the compost facility. No other bioplastics are allowed in the Organics Container.

*Food-soiled paper must be: 100% plant-fiber based with no coating, liner, filler, or laminate made from petroleum plastic, wax, or bio-plastic (including PLA & PHA). Paper must be soiled ONLY with food or drink liquids.

FAQ

What's Changing?
You will be able to use your green organics container for the collection of landscaping waste, food scraps, and 100% fiber-based, food-soiled paper.

Did You Say Food Scraps?
Yes, Athens will accept all types of food scraps. Their American Organics compost facility converts organics waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment. The resulting compost is used by commercial farmers, city projects, garden shops, landscapers, and residents.

How Do I Participate?
To collect your kitchen food scraps, you can choose to use a portable, reusable pail-like container with a tight-fitting lid. It could be plastic, metal, or ceramic. Consider reusing a coffee canister, large yogurt or margarine tub, or juice pitcher. Pail options can be purchased at a retail store or searched online for "Kitchen Pail." Storage ideas can include the kitchen counter, under the sink, in the freezer, or wherever you feel is best.

Why Organics Recycling?
Landfills are the third largest source of methane in California. Organics waste emits 20% of the state's methane; a climate super pollutant up to 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By diverting organics from the landfill, you are part of the solution in helping to protect the environment and future generations.

Are Bags Accepted?
Liners are optional. Plastic and bioplastic "compostable" bags are accepted in the organics container, but must be CLEAR or translucent-green, and bag contents must be visible. Acceptable organics will be processed, but the bags will not be recycled or composted.

Where Can I Get More Information?
Athens is here to support the community with this new program and will provide resources and training to help you get started. If you have any questions about the new organics collection program, please contact the Athens Customer Care Center

• (888) 336-6100
• Athens Services

SB 1383 California's Organics Recycling Law

Recycling Organics at Home

Things That Are Accepted in Your Blue Recycling Bin

5 Items That Don't Belong in Your Green Container

Bulky Item Pick-up Made Easy

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) materials include but are not limited to paints, pesticides, fertilizer, pool chemicals, motor oil and other petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, electronic appliances and computers, fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, batteries, and tires. General information and answers to questions about household hazardous waste and proper disposal can be found by visiting Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts or by calling 1-888-CLEAN LA.

Hazardous waste cannot be placed in the trash. If Athens staff identifies hazardous waste in household trash, it will be tagged as hazardous and will not be collected. Hazardous waste must be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste Roundup or a permanent S.A.F.E Collection Center.

Electronic Waste

Electronic waste or e-waste includes televisions, computers, cell phones, and other electronic items. E-waste cannot be placed in the trash. Glendora residents and businesses may contact Athens Services to request curbside pickup. Pickups take place on trash day and must be scheduled at least one day in advance. Contact Athens at (888) 336-6100 to schedule a free pickup.

E-waste can also be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste Roundup. E-waste is also accepted at the Puente Hills Material Recovery Facility Recycle Center and at all Goodwill Retail Stores and Donation Centers. The Goodwill stores in Glendora are located at 526 W. Foothill Boulevard and 1936 E. Route 66.

• Puente Hills Material Recovery Facility Recycle Center

S.A.F.E Collection Centers

S.A.F.E. (Solvents / Automotive / Flammables / Electronics) Collection Centers are permanent facilities that are open every weekend. The center that is closest to Glendora is located at the Los Angeles-Glendale Treatment Plant at 4600 Colorado Boulevard in Los Angeles. Additional information about the S.A.F.E. Collection Center and a list of other centers is available at City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works.

Paint

Paint products may be delivered to a Household Hazardous Waste Roundup for proper disposal. Additionally, there are retailers in Glendora that accept unwanted paint, free of charge. Call ahead for hours and to make sure the store can accept the amount and type of paint you would like to recycle.

List of acceptable materials(PDF, 3MB).

• Dunn-Edwards: 630 S. Grand Ave; limit 20 gallons per visit; (626) 335-7900
• Sherwin-Williams: 651 S. Grand Ave; limit 20 gallons per visit; (626) 335-7671
• Mission Ace Hardware: 531 S. Glendora Ave; limit 5 gallons per visit; (626) 914-7980

These retails will accept paints, stains, and varnishes. Material must be delivered in its original container, with the label legible. Aerosols will not be accepted. Dried paint will not be accepted, and can be placed in the regular trash. 

Batteries

Most batteries, including regular household AA, AAA, C, and, D batteries, are considered hazardous waste and cannot be placed in the trash. Batteries can be taken to any Household Hazardous Waste Roundup event or S.A.F.E. Collection Center.

Pharmaceuticals and Sharps Disposal

Pharmaceuticals (medications, vitamins, etc.) and sharps (hypodermic needles) disposal containers can be taken to any Household Hazardous Waste Roundup.

Glendora residents may obtain sharps disposal containers, free of charge. Contact Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 to place a request. Once full, the container is returned via USPS using the postage paid mail back feature.

Visiting a Drug Takeback Site is the best way to dispose of old or unused medication. If you are not able to visit a Drug Take Back Site promptly, please check if your medication is on the FDA Flush List. If your medication is not on the FDA Flush List, please follow these instructions on how to dispose of medication in the trash.

Motor Oil

Motor oil is considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. Motor oil cannot be placed in the trash or poured out on the ground or in the gutter.

Used motor oil can be taken to any Household Hazardous Waste Roundup event or S.A.F.E. Collection Center. Used motor oil is also accepted at several locations in and around Glendora. Locations can be found by searching at CalRecycle.

Please not that other automotive solutions such as antifreeze must be disposed at a HHW event or S.A.F.E. Collection Center.

Tires

Tires cause a variety of environmental hazards if not disposed of properly, and must be recycled. There are a variety of locations in Los Angeles County that accept tires for recycling, usually for a small fee. In addition, free tire recycling events are held several times per year at various locations around the County.