Frequent questions about waste collection

Here you can see the waste collection calendar showing the estimated emptying dates.

Residents can pick up labeled bags for excess mixed waste. They are available at the nearest N1 station in Reykjavík or at the Reykjavík City Customer Service, Borgartún 12–14.  The bags are left by the bins and will be removed during the next waste collection.

The bags are intended only for mixed household waste, and it is forbidden to put in them toxic waste or other hazardous materials, plastic, metals, glass, textiles, and paper, packaging with a return fee, electrical appliances, timber and other bulky waste, garden waste, bricks, soil, or rocks. Such waste is to be returned to the recycling centers of SORPA bs. 

You can take extra paper and plastic to recycling drop-offs or recycling centers.

Waste collection staff monitor whether sorting has been done correctly. Bins with incorrect sorting will not be emptied.

It is important that waste goes into the correct bins as the Act on the Circular Economy requires everyone to sort paper, plastic, food waste, glass, metals, textiles, toxic waste, and pharmaceuticals. 

Moreover, it is forbidden to put bottles and cans, garden waste, soil, and metals in the gray bin. 

More information about the bins

Reykjavík City is legally required to collect waste collection fees as close to the actual cost as possible for the collection of household waste and the operation of drop-off and recycling centers. 

Waste collection fees are collected with property taxes.  They are based on the number of bins, container size, the distance needed to empty the container, and the type of waste. The fees change from the week that changes to the bins are requested. Bins for paper, plastic, and food waste are cheaper than bins for mixed household waste. Therefore, it pays to sort.

The waste collection fee in Reykjavík depends on the number and size of bins and waste categories. Municipalities are obligated to recover all costs associated with waste collection and handling. Bins for recyclable materials are considerably cheaper than bins for mixed household waste to encourage more sorting. Reykjavík City Waste Collection Fees

Yes, you can. 

In single-family housing, it is most effective to sort more and dispose of less. If little mixed household waste is produced, a split bin or thrifty bin can be requested instead of the gray bin. Bins for recyclable materials are cheaper than for mixed household waste. If your bins are located more than 15 meters from the curb, you can reduce the fee by moving the bins closer to the street.

If you live in multi-family housing, it would be advisable to reconsider the number of gray bins and have fewer if possible. Alternatively, green, blue, or brown bins for recyclable materials can be added.

• Order/return bins

The Act on the Circular Economy requires everyone to sort their waste and set up bins for paper, plastic, food waste, and mixed household waste on their property. There is no general rule on the number of bins per apartment, so residents can decide how many to have and that affects the cost. You need at least one bin for each type of waste.

The need is determined by various factors such as the number of residents, consumption habits, and how diligent residents are at sorting. 

More information about the bins

Yes, under the new Act, each household must collect food leftovers, paper, and plastic. In addition, there must be a bin for mixed waste. There are therefore bins or compartments for four categories in total.

We only charge a fee when you order an extra bin for mixed household waste. Ordering extra bins for food waste, paper, or plastic is free.

More information about the bins

Act No 26/1994 on Multi-Owner Buildings addresses owners’ rights and obligations in these buildings. Waste storage is generally in the common property of multi-owner buildings, and all owners share responsibility in solidum for the shared space according to Article 57 of the Act. The homeowners’ association and the owners are liable for the common costs according to Articles 43 and 47 and are therefore liable for costs incurred for incorrectly sorted waste. 

If it is proven that one owner is causing costs to the homeowners’ association by not sorting the waste, the homeowners’ association can reclaim the expense according to the general right of requisition.  The homeowners’ association may also set house rules that cover the sorting of waste cf. Article 41(C)(1) and Article 74 of the Act, in particular 74(3)(1). 

If it is proven that one owner repeatedly fails to comply with the rules, the homeowners’ association may impose a ban on the owner’s right to reside or stay in the building, cf Article 55(1) of the Act but care must be taken to provide the owner with the opportunity to improve, pursuant to subsection 2 of the same Article. The opinion of the Housing Complaints Committee can be obtained pursuant to section 80 of the Act on the dispute between co-owners regarding the interpretation of the Act and/or the case can be taken to court pursuant to section 80(6) of the Act to seek a final conclusion on the dispute. 

Lot holders need to apply for a building permit from the Building Commissioner for the changes if they want to move their waste storage. The Department of Environment & Planning will provide residents with any additional information and will be available for guidance and advice regarding the relocation of waste storage when possible by phone at 411 1111 and email at info@reykjavik.is.

If a container cannot be emptied due to obstacles, incorrect sorting, or other reasons, residents may request an additional waste collection. The services are paid for according to the Fee Schedule.

Yes, you can drop off glass and metals at all recycling drop-offs and recycling centers.

You should take ceramics and porcelain that can't be reused to Sorpa recycling centers. These materials don't belong in glass containers.

Fireworks remnants and unexploded fireworks should be returned to Sorpa recycling centers, not in the gray bin. 

Residents are encouraged to clean up firework remains in their immediate surroundings after New Year's Eve, as remains of rocket fireworks, cake fireworks, and other types fireworks are left around the City. It is important for everyone to work together and for residents to clean up any traces of fireworks in their immediate surroundings. It is recommended that people return the collected material to the recycling centers of SORPA bs. or to collection containers where fireworks are sold—and not in household waste bins.

Split bins are the same size as the gray bins for mixed waste that have been used in Reykjavík, 240 liters and 58 centimeters wide. The bins are divided in a 60/40 ratio. The smaller compartment is 96 liters and the larger compartment is 144 liters.

If the bins are lined up side by side, we recommend leaving 10 centimeters between them.

No, a split bin probably won't suffice for households with more than three residents. It's important to understand that if residents compact paper or plastic in the bin, so it does not fall out when the bin is inverted during emptying into the waste collection vehicle, the bin will be left behind unemptied.

The brown bin is expected to serve up to six apartments, but this can vary depending on the number of people in the household. If the brown bin fills up, you can order more bins.

Paper bags for food waste are available for free at Sorpa recycling centers and Góði hirðirinn.

Let sauces and liquids drain from food before placing it in the bag. This helps keep the food waste dry and prolongs the life of the bag.

If disposing of food waste from the fridge, do so when taking the bag out, not when starting to use a new bag. This will make the bag last longer.

Close the bag securely when placing it in the bin.

Ensure the brown bin is not in direct sunlight; a little breeze cools it down.

No, we recommend not using cornstarch bags for food waste as they break down poorly at Gaja, the compost and gas production plant, and tend to wrap around the machines that process the waste.

No, garden waste should be delivered to the Sorpa recycling centers. The reception is free for up to two cubic meters of material. You can put a bouquet of flowers or other similar household waste in the bin.

The Reykjavík Waste Collection Department manages waste collection and offers general sorting advice, but it does not intervene in disputes or communications between residents in common areas. We recommend resolving these matters through your homeowners' association or directly with the residents involved.

• If waste accumulating on a neighbor's property poses a pollution or public health risk, report it to Reykjavík Public Health. • Report litter and unsanitary conditions on municipal land through Reykjavík City's Suggestion Portal. We forward these reports to the appropriate district depot, which takes corrective action as needed.The Reykjavík City Suggestion Portal

Business operators must take care collecting and handling any waste they generate. The City of Reykjavík is responsible for waste collection within city limits and for ensuring that infrastructure is in place to ensure proper waste management. Business operators are free to negotiate with private operators to collect and sort any waste generated by their operations.

SORPA bs. accepts sorted waste from private operators at collection centers, but the private operators are free to choose the means they prefer for recyclables. Private operators that collect mixed waste from businesses are responsible for bagging and packing the waste before returning it to the landfill site in Álfsnes. 

The City's blue and green bins are only available for homes in Reykjavík, and are not available for businesses and institutions. These entities can return sorted waste to recycling centers. Business operators do not pay for the return of recyclables, but they pay for returning mixed waste and other waste categories according to the fee schedule of SORPA bs.   

A number of service providers also provide bins for recyclables and take care of their transportation for institutions and companies across the country.