Starting October 1, residents of Riga will pay more for household waste collection. The new rates will take effect in all four service zones of the city. The most noticeable increase occurred in the second zone, where the cost of the service rose by 2.26% — from €27.90 to €28.53 per cubic meter. In the first zone, the rate increased from €27.61 to €28.21 per cubic meter, which is 2.17%. In the third zone, the cost of waste collection rose from €24.70 to €25.25 per cubic meter, or by 2.23%. The smallest increase affected the fourth zone — here, the rate went up by 1%, from €27.05 to €27.32 per cubic meter. As previously explained by the Committee on Housing and Environment of the Riga City Council, the tariff revision is related to the rising costs of the companies providing the service. When calculating the new prices, inflation, increased labor costs, and rising fuel prices were taken into account. At the same time, the impact of the increase was partially offset by the reduction in the fee for the collection of biological waste, which has been in effect since July. Riga is divided into four zones for household waste management, and each zone has its own operator. In the first and second zones, waste collection is provided by Clean R, in the third by Lautus vide, and in the fourth by Eco Baltia vide. For most residents, the increase will be small; however, the new rates will be reflected in utility bills starting in October.
