City's Transition: 2-Stream to 3-Stream Waste Collection System

SERVICE CHANGES

1. What is Manual Barrel Service?
   Manual Barrel Service, formerly known as ‘Backyard Service’, is the manual collection of trash from a customer’s property by drivers in specialized pick-up trucks.
   
   
2. What changes are happening to my service?
   

   Single-family customers must now have a 3-stream waste collection system for regular trash, recyclables (bottles, cans, paper, etc.), and organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste). Single-family customers will continue to receive manual barrel collection service (formerly known as ‘backyard service’) once per week at their current waste rates. Starting in November 2025, Athens Services will transition all waste customers in South Pasadena to a 3-stream segregated waste collection service. This means that all residential customers (single-family homes with 1-4 units) must have separate containers for trash, recyclables, and organics.

   To support this enhancement, Athens will provide each household with up to seven 32-gallon black, blue, and green barrels for their respective trash, recyclable materials, and organic waste at no additional charge (current service rates will not change). Customers must use these new barrels for their waste services and will no longer be allowed to use their own containers, per Senate Bill (SB) 1383.

   Customers will receive one 32- gallon black, blue, and green barrel and have the opportunity to select up to four total additional barrels. Additional information on how to submit your customized barrel request will come in the following weeks.

   These changes are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to comply with SB 1383, which supports recycling efforts and waste diversion efforts in California.

3. Do I need to roll my barrels to the curb?
   No, you do not need to roll your barrels to the curb on trash day. Drivers will continue to service your barrels wherever they are placed on your property as long as they are accessible.
   
   
4. Will my collection day change?
   No, your collection day will remain the same for all three waste streams/containers. You will be notified in advance if any changes take place.
   
   
5. Will my rates increase?
   No, single-family homes with manual barrel service will not see any changes to their rates unless more than 7 barrels are requested.
   
   

CONTAINERS

1. What do the new barrels look like?

   The new barrels will be 32-gallons made with heavy-duty plastic. They will have two wheels in the back with a handle at the top, making it easy to move. It will also have a heavy-duty plastic lid that clicks into place. The barrels have a grip at the bottom making them easier for drivers to lift and tip into their trucks. The barrels will be stackable and labeled with a list of acceptable items for that barrel. The barrels will be black for trash, blue for recyclables (bottles, cans, paper, etc.), and green for organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste).

2. How many barrels will I get and what colors?

   Athens will provide all customers with up to seven new 32-gallon barrels in black, blue, and green. Customers must have a minimum of one barrel of each color and will have the opportunity to choose the colors of the additional barrels for up to a total of seven barrels. Additional barrels, after seven, require additional fees. There is no change in rate for having less than seven barrels.

   Additional information on how to submit your customized barrel request will come in the following weeks.

3. How many barrels will I get if I have 2-4 units?

   Each unit will be able to receive up to seven barrels. The property as a whole must have a minimum of one barrel of each color.

4. What date do I need to select my 4 additional barrels by? 
   

   Residents should have received an Athens postcard in the mail on or around September 2. Once you receive it, you’ll be prompted to customize your four additional barrels. After selecting your barrels, you can submit your choices in any of the following ways:

   1. Online: Visit bit.ly/SPBarrelForm

   2. By Phone: Call Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100

   3. In Person: Drop off the completed form at the South Pasadena City Hall Clerk's Office

   4. By Mail: Prepay for postage and mail the completed form to:
      Athens Services, 5355 S. Vincent Ave., Irwindale, CA 91706

   Selections must be submitted by October 10th. Any barrel selections or changes following October 10th deadline will incur a delivery fee. 

5. When will I get my new barrels?

   Beginning November 2025, based on the customer’s selection, black trash barrels, blue recycling barrels, and green organics barrels will be delivered to your home on your regular collection day along with information and instruction on their proper use. Deployment of new barrels will take several weeks.

6. What if I need more barrels?

   If you would like more than seven total barrels, you may request extra barrels for recycling, trash, or organics at an additional cost. To adjust your service, contact Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.

7. Can I continue to use my old containers for trash collection?

   No, you cannot use your own trash containers. State law prohibits waste customers in California to use their own containers for waste collection. All barrels must be standardized with specific color and labeling requirements, per SB 1383.

8. How can I dispose of my old trash containers? Can I keep them?

   When the new barrels are deployed, residents will have the option to keep their old barrels or have them collected by Athens at no charge. Athens will properly dispose/recycle the old barrels. More information on the new barrel deployment and old barrel collection will be provided to residents in writing via printed mail prior to the transition.
   
   SEPARATION

1. What is acceptable in each barrel?
   Blue Recycling Barrel: Recyclable materials include plastics, metals, paper (clean and dry), cardboard, and glass. *Clean cardboard boxes should be flattened and stacked neatly next to your blue barrel.
   Green Organics Barrel: Organics waste includes green waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper (100% fiber-based). *Food-soiled cardboard should be broken up and placed inside your green barrel.
   Black Trash Barrel: All other materials should be disposed of in the black barrel.
   
   For a full breakdown of acceptable materials, check out the Athens interactive recycling guide at CanIRecycleMy.com. The guide features more than 450 items and is the go-to resource for correctly reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, and disposing of unwanted waste material.
   
   
2.  Do I have to separate my food scraps now?
   Yes, all food scraps and food soiled paper must be separated from your trash and combined with your yard waste.
   
   
3. How do I separate my food scraps?
   Step 1: Find a portable, reusable pail with a tight-fitting lid to collect your kitchen food scraps. Consider reusing a coffee canister, large yogurt or margarine tub, or juice pitcher. The container can be stored on the kitchen counter, under the sink, or in the freezer. Liners are optional. Consider newspaper or a paper bag.
   Step 2: Fill your pail with food scraps and acceptable items.
   Step 3: Empty pail contents into your green organics barrel.
   Step 4: Rinse out your pail with soap and water. Fill again.
   
   Tips: Sprinkle your pail lightly with baking soda to absorb odors. Store meat and dairy scraps in your freezer and place in your organics barrel on trash day.
   
   
4.  Can I bag my food scraps?
   Yes, food scraps can be bagged in clear plastic bags or paper bags. Plastic bags do not need to be compostable. All plastic bags will be separated at Athens’ composting facility.
   
   
5. What do I do with cardboard boxes? They won’t fit in the barrels.
   Clean cardboard boxes should be flattened and stacked neatly next to your blue barrel.
   Food-soiled cardboard (ex: pizza box) should be broken up and placed inside your green barrel.

SERVICE CHANGES

1. What change is happening to services for multifamily properties?

   Multifamily customers must now have a 3-stream waste collection system for regular trash, recyclables (bottles, cans, paper, etc.), and organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste). Athens will automatically deliver a (1) 96-gallon blue recycling cart, to be serviced once per week, as part of your regular trash service. There are no additional charges for this standard recycling service.

   In addition, multifamily customers will need to subscribe to organics collection services. Customers can choose the size and frequency they need. Organics services will be added at an additional cost. Other sizes are also available for recycling carts (additional fees may apply). Athens’ Recycling Coordinators may have already reached out to you to conduct a waste assessment to determine the best service levels for your needs.

   These changes are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to comply with state law, SB 1383, which supports recycling efforts and waste diversion efforts in California.

2. What is a waste assessment?

   Athens Services will deploy Recycling Coordinators to conduct in-person, door-to-door waste assessments for multifamily accounts. During these assessments, on-site managers will receive flyers with information on the new three-stream collection system, deployment of recycling carts, and subscription to organics services. Recycling Coordinators will assess their current waste practices and recommend a service level to fit their individual needs. Multifamily properties will receive information on the new bulky item services and a guide with email/signage templates for tenants describing the changes in waste collection. In-person assessments will be followed up with phone and email correspondence.

3. I am the manager/property owner and no one has contacted me for a waste assessment, what do I do?

   If you haven’t been contacted by an Athens representative to conduct a waste assessment, you may contact Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100 to request one.

4. What if the default 96-gallon recycling cart is not enough?

   Other sizes are also available for recycling carts (additional fees may apply). To adjust your recycling services, talk to your Recycling Coordinator or call Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.

5. What if I need to adjust the current trash service now that we will have additional/separate containers?  

   By adding containers for recycling and organics, you may find that your current trash service levels exceed your needs. You can adjust your service level for your current trash collection, as well as request a different size recycling cart, by contacting the Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.

6. Can multifamily properties apply for a waiver for organics collection?

   No, multifamily properties must subscribe to organics collection and would not be eligible for a waiver.

7. Can multifamily properties apply for a waiver for recycling collection?

   No, all waste customers must have recycling services.

8. Will the collection day change?

   No, your collection day will remain the same for your trash services. However, recycling and organics collection services may occur on different days depending on the frequency of the services chosen. You will be notified in advance if any changes take place.

9. Will my rates increase?

   Rates for regular trash service for multifamily properties will not change and recycling containers will be added to existing trash service at no additional cost. However, multifamily customers will need to subscribe to organics collection, which will incur an additional cost. Customers who increase their default recycling service will also incur an additional cost.

10. How can I notify my tenants of these changes?

    Your Recycling Coordinator will provide you with a Multifamily Guide which will include email templates to send to tenants explaining the upcoming changes. You can also request signage to post near waste containers to educate tenants on the new separation practices.

11. What resources are available for multifamily property owners?

    Click here(PDF, 20MB) for a Multifamily Guide on the new service changes.

 CONTAINERS

1. What kind of new containers will my property receive for organics and recycling collection and how many of each?

   Multifamily customers with 5 or more units will receive carts or bins for recycling and organics collection. The size of the containers and the frequency of collection can be chosen by the customer depending on their needs.

2. When will we receive the new containers?

   Beginning September 2025, based on the customer’s selection, blue recycling containers (either carts or bins), and green organics containers (either carts or bins) will be delivered to the property on the regular collection day. Deployment of new containers will take several weeks.
   
   

   SEPARATION

1. What is acceptable in each container?

   Blue Recycling Container: Recyclable materials include plastics, metals, paper (clean and dry), cardboard, and glass.
   Green Organics Container: Organics waste includes green waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper (100% fiber-based). *Food-soiled cardboard should be broken up and placed inside your green container.
   Black Trash Container: All other materials should be disposed of in the black container.

   For a full breakdown of acceptable materials, check out the Athens interactive recycling guide at CanIRecycleMy.com. The guide features more than 450 items and is the go-to resource for correctly reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, and disposing of unwanted waste material.

2. Will tenants in multifamily buildings be expected to separate food scraps and recyclables?
   Yes.

3.  How should we separate food scraps?
   Step 1: Find a portable, reusable pail with a tight-fitting lid to collect your kitchen food scraps. Consider reusing a coffee canister, large yogurt or margarine tub, or juice pitcher. The container can be stored on the kitchen counter, under the sink, or in the freezer. Liners are optional. Consider newspaper or a paper bag.
   Step 2: Fill your pail with food scraps and acceptable items.
   Step 3: Empty pail contents into your green organics barrel.
   Step 4: Rinse out your pail with soap and water. Fill again.
   
   Tips: Sprinkle your pail lightly with baking soda to absorb odors. Store meat and dairy scraps in your freezer and place in your organics barrel on trash day.

4.  Can food scraps be bagged?
   Yes, food scraps can be bagged in clear plastic bags or paper bags. Plastic bags do not need to be compostable. All plastic bags will be separated at Athens’ composting facility.

5.  How should we dispose cardboard boxes?
   Clean cardboard boxes should be flattened and placed inside your blue container.
   Food-soiled cardboard (ex: pizza box) should be broken up and placed inside your green container.

SERVICE CHANGES

1. What change is happening to services for commercial properties?

   Commercial customers must now have a 3-stream waste collection system for regular trash, recyclables (bottles, cans, paper, etc.), and organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste). Athens will automatically deliver a (1) 96-gallon blue recycling cart, to be serviced once per week, as part of your regular trash service. There are no additional charges for this standard recycling service.

   In addition, commercial customers will need to subscribe to organics collection services. Most customers will need a 64-gallon green cart for organic waste; however, other sizes are available and customers can choose the size and frequency they need. Organics services will be added at an additional cost. Other sizes are also available for recycling carts (additional fees may apply). Athens’ Recycling Coordinators may have already reached out to you to conduct a waste assessment to determine the best service levels for your needs.

   These changes are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to comply with state law, SB 1383, which supports recycling efforts and waste diversion efforts in California.

2. What is a waste assessment?

   Athens Services will deploy Recycling Coordinators to conduct in-person, door-to-door waste assessments for commercial accounts. During these assessments, on-site managers will receive flyers with information on the new three-stream collection system, deployment of recycling carts, and subscription to organics services. Recycling Coordinators will assess their current waste practices and recommend a service level to fit their individual needs. Athens will also offer training for employees at commercial properties and assist in applying for an organics waiver if eligible. In-person assessments will be followed up with phone and email correspondence.

3. I am the business owner and no one has contacted me for a waste assessment, what do I do?

   If you haven’t been contacted by an Athens representative to conduct a waste assessment, you may contact Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100 to request one.

4. What if the default 96-gallon recycling cart is not enough?

   Other sizes are also available for recycling carts (additional fees may apply). To adjust your recycling services, talk to your Recycling Coordinator or call Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.

5. What if I need to adjust my current trash service now that we will have additional/separate containers?  

   By adding containers for recycling and organics, you may find that your current trash service levels exceed your needs. You can adjust your service level for your current trash collection, as well as request a different size recycling cart, by contacting the Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.

6. Can commercial customers apply for a waiver for organics collection?

   Yes, commercial customers producing less than 20 gallons of organic waste per week are eligible to apply for a de minimis waiver for organics collection services. To apply for a waiver, talk to your Recycling Coordinator or call Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.

7. Can commercial customers apply for a waiver for recycling collection?

   No, all waste customers must have recycling services.

8. Will the collection day change?

   No, your collection day will remain the same for your trash services. However, recycling and organics collection services may occur on different days depending on the frequency of the services chosen. You will be notified in advance if any changes take place.

9. Will my rates increase?

   Rates for regular trash service for commercial properties will not change and recycling containers will be added to existing trash service at no additional cost. However, commercial customers will need to subscribe to organics collection, which will incur an additional cost. Customers who increase their default recycling service will also incur an additional cost.

10. What resources are available for commercial property/business owners?  

    Athens offers training for commercial businesses and their employees. Trainings will review the new regulations, train on proper sorting, and assist in making sure your business is set up with proper containers and procedures. To request a training, talk to your Recycling Coordinator or call Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.
    
    

     CONTAINERS

1. What kind of new containers will we receive for organics and recycling collection and how many of each?

   Commercial customers will receive carts or bins for recycling and organics collection. The size of the containers and the frequency of collection can be chosen by the customer depending on their needs.

2. When will we receive the new containers?
   Beginning September 2025, based on the customer’s selection, blue recycling containers (either carts or bins), and green organics containers (either carts or bins) will be delivered to the property on the regular collection day. Deployment of new containers will take several weeks.

SEPARATION

1. What is acceptable in each container?

   Blue Recycling Container: Recyclable materials include plastics, metals, paper (clean and dry), cardboard, and glass.
   Green Organics Container: Organics waste includes green waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper (100% fiber-based). *Food-soiled cardboard should be broken up and placed inside your green container.
   Black Trash Container: All other materials should be disposed of in the black container.

   For a full breakdown of acceptable materials, check out the Athens interactive recycling guide at CanIRecycleMy.com. The guide features more than 450 items and is the go-to resource for correctly reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, and disposing of unwanted waste material.

2. How should we separate food scraps?  

   Step 1: Find a portable, reusable pail with a tight-fitting lid to collect your kitchen food scraps. Consider reusing a coffee canister, large yogurt or margarine tub, or juice pitcher. The container can be stored on the kitchen counter, under the sink, or in the freezer. Liners are optional. Consider newspaper or a paper bag.
   Step 2: Fill your pail with food scraps and acceptable items.
   Step 3: Empty pail contents into your green organics barrel.
   Step 4: Rinse out your pail with soap and water. Fill again.
   
   Tips: Sprinkle your pail lightly with baking soda to absorb odors. Store meat and dairy scraps in your freezer and place in your organics barrel on trash day.

3. Can food scraps be bagged?
   Yes, food scraps can be bagged in clear plastic bags or paper bags. Plastic bags do not need to be compostable. All plastic bags will be separated at Athens’ composting facility.
   
   
4. How should we dispose cardboard boxes?
   Clean cardboard boxes should be flattened and placed inside your blue container.
   Food-soiled cardboard (ex: pizza box) should be broken up and placed inside your green container.