Household waste produced by the population in the City of Riga are managed mainly by two companies - Hoetika-ATU Ltd. and Nehlsen-Riga Ltd. Any company that would like to deal with household waste management in Riga, prior to commencing operation, has to sign an agreement with the Department of Environment of the Riga City Council. Nehlsen - Riga Ltd. has signed an agreement with the Riga City Council on household waste management for the period of 10 years (1995 - 2005) and it provides services to the largest part of the population in Kurzemes district constituting approximately 15% of the total amount of the population. In the largest part of the city household waste management is done by Hoetika - ATU Ltd.

In Riga waste collection from the population, organisations, institutions, public catering and trade centres is carried out by using waste containers and waste bags, as well as applying waste collection system without using waste containers. As to the latter, during the collection of waste special vehicles drive from one place to another according to a certain schedule. From the point of hygiene and order this type of waste collection performed daily at definite times is satisfying, but, in order to implement it, good organisation as well as a wish to co-operate from the part of the population is needed. Because of the large time consumption needed for collection this method is financially unprofitable. Likewise, non-container waste collection system causes additional traffic congestion. Non-container waste collection is performed mainly in the Centre district of the City of Riga. The majority of the population is provided with 0.24m³, 0.75m³, 0.90m³ and 1.1m³ containers for the collection of household waste.