Athens Services recently acquired CalMet Services and its affiliate business Paramount Resource Recycling, uniting three locally owned and family-operated businesses with a total of more than 100 years of experience in Southern California’s waste collection and recycling industry.
All three companies share a commitment to quality customer service, respect for team members, and dedication to environmental stewardship. CalMet is the exclusive waste hauler in five municipalities in Los Angeles County – Paramount, Downey, Cerritos, Lomita and Commerce – and is the city of Los Angeles recycLA Service Provider in the East Downtown zone that includes Boyle Heights.
The company also has a franchise in three unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and serves the Leisure World retirement community in Seal Beach. Paramount Resource Recycling is a leader in self-hauling, with a convenient public facility in Paramount meeting a range of disposal and recycling needs.
“We are so proud of our family’s legacy, and know that Athens shares our culture that places a premium on hard work, celebrates and supports employees, promotes great customer service, and leads the way on the environment,” said Art Kazarian, an owner of CalMet Services. “Our family built this business over four decades, and we are confident this legacy will live on and be honored by the team at Athens.”
The diverse, dedicated team at Athens is composed of more than 1,750 employees, many of whom live in the communities they serve. Athens’ workforce is among the most experienced in the industry, with drivers averaging 10 years or more in the field. The company maintains a first-rate safety record across all the areas where it operates.
“Coming together with CalMet Services and Paramount Resource Recycling is a natural fit,” said Ron Arakelian III, a co-owner of Athens Services and great-grandson of Athens Services’ founder. “We all believe firmly in the value of family ownership, environmental stewardship toward a zero-waste future, and superior customer service.”
The companies have worked together to execute a detailed transition process to ensure the seamless integration of the employees and overall operations. “By bringing together these unique local companies with tremendous family histories, we have significantly strengthened the foundation on which we will continue to grow,” said Gary Clifford, Executive Vice President of Athens Services.
Athens Services is a fourth-generation, family-owned waste collection and recycling company based in Los Angeles County and built on an unwavering commitment to service, people, and the environment. Founded in 1957 with just two trucks, Athens Services has grown to be the largest privately held environmental services company in Southern California, with upwards of 250,000 customers in more than 50 communities.
