New Year's in Reykjavík
Air quality may be poor in the first hours of 2025 due to fireworks. Suspended particulates may exceed health limits. Suspended particulates from fireworks are dangerous and harmful to health. Fireworks also create litter that needs proper disposal. Reykjavík City will provide containers for firework debris at ten recycling drop-offs across the city. Ten New Year's bonfires will be held in Reykjavík on New Year's Eve.
First day of high suspended particulates?
On New Year's Eve morning, a slow easterly wind is expected in the south and west, with no precipitation and very cold temperatures. Air quality may be poor into New Year's Day, based on the weather forecast. January 1, 2025, could be the year's first day of high suspended particulates due to firework pollution. The 24-hour health limit is 50 micrograms per cubic meter. Monitor suspended particulate levels at Loftgæði.is and check the latest weather forecast on the Meteorological Office website.
Air quality monitoring stations measuring suspended particulates in Reykjavík are located at Grensásvegur, Olís Álfabakki, Laugarnes and Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo.
Disabled people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions and children are especially sensitive to suspended particulates. This group should stay indoors around midnight and keep windows closed.
Ten New Year's Eve bonfires
Ten New Year's Eve bonfires are set for Reykjavík. They are either managed by the Reykjavík City staff or an association and they pay close attention to what is added to the bonfires and ensure that the bonfires are properly loaded and monitored. Weather forecasts are checked before noon on New Year's Eve. A decision is then made about lighting the bonfires that evening. Bonfires will not be lit if the wind speed is over 10 m/s.
- At Ægisíða, a small bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- In Skerjafjörður opposite Skildinganes 48-52, a small bonfire, at 9pm.
- At Suðurhlíðar, below Fossvogur Cemetery, a small bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- Laugardalur, below Laugarásvegur 18, small bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- Geirsnef, on the north side of Geirsnef, a large bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- At Stekkjarbakki, a small bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- At Rauðavatn on the north side, a small bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- Gufunes by Gufunesbær, a large bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- At Kléberg in Kjalarnes, a small bonfire, at 8:30pm.
- Úlfarsfell on the lot of Fisfélagið at Lambhagavegur, a small bonfire at 8:30pm.
Bonfire locations are viewable in City Viewer.
Note that you may not bring fireworks and flares to the bonfires but you may use sparklers and torches without sparks.
Fireworks debris containers
Firework debris is often found around the city after New Year's. It's important to properly dispose of this waste before it breaks down and becomes sludge. Though fireworks are made of cardboard, clay in the base makes the remaining paper unsuitable for recycling.
Reykjavík City will provide containers for fireworks debris at ten recycling drop-offs citywide. Containers will be in place before New Year's Eve, ready for debris on New Year's Day. From January 2, fireworks debris will be accepted at SORPA recycling centers during regular hours. As before, unexploded fireworks in hazardous waste containers at SORPA recycling centers.
The locations follow but they can be viewed in the City Viewer:
- Vesturbær – Hofsvallagata recycling drop-off (Vesturbæjarlaug)
- Miðborg – Eiríksgata recycling drop-off (near Hallgrímskirkja)
- Hlíðar – Flókagata recycling drop-off (Kjarvalstaðir)
- Laugardalur – Sundlaugavegur recycling drop-off (Laugardalslaug)
- Háaleiti-Bústaðir – Sogavegur recycling drop-off
- Breiðholt – Austurberg recycling drop-off
- Árbær/Selás – Selásbraut recycling drop-off
- Grafarvogur – Spöng recycling drop-off
- Grafarholt-Úlfarsárdalur – Þjóðhildarstígur recycling drop-off (near Krónan)
- Kjalarnes – at the recycling drop-off
Show caution and consider children and animals
Reykjavík City urges residents to be cautious, consider children and animals, and properly dispose of firework debris. Residents can reduce fireworks by buying ICE-SAR's root shots. These support rescue teams without buying fireworks. For each root shot, the forestry association plants trees nationwide next summer. This improves air quality and reduces greenhouse effects.
Firework use in Iceland is high, with associated injuries. In the past decade, an average of 21 people were injured and one suffered permanent health damage each year from fireworks in the capital area.
Fireworks, especially large cakes, can be very loud. Pet owners should take care of their animals. It's best to keep cats indoors around New Year's and always leash dogs, even in the yard.
About 600 tons of fireworks have been imported annually in recent years, with this year being no exception. The authors of the report "Pollution from Fireworks" write: "The working group agreed that the pollution often caused by fireworks at New Year's has undesirable effects on many individuals' health, especially those with underlying health problems."
The main point is to be careful on New Year's Eve, watch children, use gloves and safety glasses, and enjoy the moment safely. Happy Festival!