Waste - State and impacts (Iceland)

SOER 2010 Common environmental theme (Deprecated)

Topics: Resource efficiency and waste

This page was archived on 21 Mar 2015 with reason: A new version has been published

SOER Common environmental theme from Iceland

Topic: Waste

Published: 26 Nov 2010 Modified: 11 May 2020

Trends in waste generation

In 1995, the average total waste generation was around 390 000 tonnes. This increased to around 580 000 tonnes (49 %) by 2007 and had an apparent steep increase to 720 000 tonnes in 2008. Waste statistics improve with better waste management, better reporting systems and increased coordination. Therefore, better statistics may explain some of this apparent increase. The population increased by 18 % in the same period.

Figure 1. Waste amounts by waste categories (classified by source) generated in Iceland in 1995-2008

State of the waste management system

The implementation of government policies and more efficient waste management has improved waste treatment in the last decade. Recycling and composting has increased from 13 % to 61 % and landfill has decreased from 80 % to 36 % between 1995 to 2008 (Figures 2 and 3). Technical improvements are seen in incineration. Incineration is decreasing and moving from primitive technology towards high temperature incineration with energy recovery. Figures 2 and 3 show a significant reduction in the quantity of waste going to disposal and as a consequence improved resource management.

Recycling is growing fast in Iceland, especially composting and plastics recycling, with innovation in treatment technologies. However, the main part of collected and sorted recyclable waste (plastic, cardboard, paper etc.) is exported to recycling facilities in Europe.

Figure 2. Waste treatment/management in Iceland in 1995

Figure 3. Waste treatment/management in Iceland in 2008

Since 1991, The City of Reykjavík and six other municipalities have coordinated their solid waste disposal through a cooperative enterprise of Reykjavík and adjacent municipalities, named SORPA, which serves about 196 000 inhabitants. In 2008, Sorpa received 107 240 tonnes of waste compared to 117 792 tonnes in 2007, or a decrease by 9 % between years (1). In 2009 the trend continued and waste generation decreased by 26 % compared to 2008. Houshold waste, however, decreased only by 11 % in 2009 compared to 2008.

References

(1) SORPA - Year Report. Report in Icelandic. http://www.sorpa.is/resources/Files/Arsskyrslur/arsskyrsla_2008_opna_lestrar_eintak.pdf