• ACCC will not oppose Cleanaway's proposed acquisition of Citywide Waste
• Acquisition unlikely to substantially lessen competition in Melbourne's waste disposal market
• Larger customers can divert waste to other facilities if needed

The ACCC has announced that it will not oppose Cleanaway Waste Management Limited's (ASX:CWY) proposed acquisition of the waste and recycling business of Citywide Service Solutions Pty Ltd (Citywide Waste). Cleanaway is one of the largest waste management companies in Australia, with operations across the country. Citywide Waste, currently owned by the City of Melbourne Council, offers collections services for municipal councils and commercial and industrial customers. The ACCC's investigation focused on the acquisition's impact on competition in the supply of putrescible waste disposal services in Melbourne. The ACCC found that larger customers with waste collection trucks are able to divert volumes to other landfills and transfer stations besides Cleanaway's Melbourne Regional Landfill and Citywide Waste's Dynon Road transfer station. Additionally, while some customers preferred the Dynon Road transfer station, they did not see the Melbourne Regional Landfill as a viable alternative. Ultimately, the ACCC concluded that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of putrescible waste collection and disposal services in Melbourne.