Circular focus - Sorting and collection of organic waste

Description of the action and objectives

Green Deal action

Significant changes to the Waste Management Act happened in 2021, the majority of which will come into effect on January 1, 2023. The Act places increased responsibility on individuals and legal entities to sort waste and label containers and on the collection of fees for waste treatment.

Implementation period

Planned completion in the second half of 2023

Status: Completed

Status report on July 1, 2023

Changes to waste collection at households have been implemented. Modifications to recycling drop-off locations have begun, and the future setup of recycling centers is under review.

Older status reports

Schedule Progress description
July 2023 In 2023, a significant change in waste collection occurred, with the distribution of new bins divided by district. Bin distribution began in May 2023 and will conclude in September 2023.
January 2023 With the Act on the Circular Economy, which entered into force in January 2023, it is mandatory to classify household waste into four categories at home: paper, plastic packaging, organic waste (food scraps), and mixed waste. The municipalities in the capital area: Garðabær, Hafnarfjörður, Kjósarhreppur, Kópavogur, Mosfellsbær, Reykjavík, and Seltjarnarnes have been working on the preparation of the system for the past two years. The collection of sorted organic kitchen waste in Reykjavík began on September 1, 2021, and was expanded to more districts in 2022
July 2022 The collection of sorted organic kitchen waste in Reykjavík began on September 1, 2021, and was expanded to more neighborhoods in 2022. Waste per capita is decreasing between years, and Reykjavík residents produced the least amount of waste in the metropolitan area in 2021.

Connection of action to Reykjavík City's policies:

Reykjavík City departments: