The efficiencies of four different waste collection methods were compared by modelling the collection of source-separated household waste in the Helsinki region, Finland. Efficiency was assessed on the basis of system costs, fuel consumption, working hours and recovery rates. The study included paper, biowaste, energy waste and mixed waste produced in households. Both separation of new types of recyclables and increasing the coverage of separate collection increased the costs of household waste collection independently of the collection method studied. Methods in which several types of waste are collected simultaneously increased the efficiency of waste collection. High participation rates and separation efficiencies reduced the costs of waste collection.