The Estonian Competition Authority has started an analysis to identify competition problems in the organized municipal waste collection and management markets, particularly in light of significant changes in Estonia's waste management sector towards environmentally friendly practices.

Recent observations show increased market concentration in waste collection, fewer operators, and an ongoing extensive waste reform, prompting the authority to closely monitor the waste sector this year.

The analysis also covers pricing of additional waste collection services to provide guidance on compliance with competition rules, with past cases of unfair pricing leading to enforcement actions against waste management companies.

Notable cases include findings of unreasonably high fees by companies like Ragn-Sells AS and Ekovir OÜ, leading to adjustments in service prices following the Competition Authority's interventions.

The Authority plans to issue recommendations for improving the competitive landscape by the end of the year, considering upcoming changes due to the waste reform.