This master’s thesis examines the efficiency of municipal solid waste management at the local level, with a particular focus on the role of organisational models and the institutional framework governing the provision of public utility waste management services in Slovenia. Due to increasing volumes of waste, growing environmental pressures, and limited public financial resources, the efficient delivery of these services has become a key issue of local governance. The aim of the study is to assess the efficiency of municipal solid waste service providers and to examine whether efficiency differs according to the organisational form of service provision.
Methodologically, the research is based on a quantitative analysis using Data Envelopment Analysis, which enables the comparison of the relative efficiency of service providers while simultaneously considering multiple input and output factors. The data were obtained from publicly available annual reports of municipal solid waste service providers operating in Slovenian municipalities. The study also includes a comparative analysis of Slovenia with other European countries.
The results indicate that the public model of municipal solid waste service provision predominates in Slovenia and that public service providers, on average, achieve higher and more stable efficiency levels than private providers and public–private partnerships. The findings demonstrate that efficiency is not determined solely by ownership structure but rather by a combination of factors, including the institutional framework, supervisory mechanisms, economies of scale, and spatial characteristics of the infrastructure.
The contribution of this master’s thesis lies in addressing a methodological research gap in the evaluation of municipal solid waste management efficiency in Slovenia. The results provide a useful basis for more informed decision-making by local authorities and support the further development of sustainable and cost-effective waste management systems.
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