Collection Systems in Iceland 🇮🇸
About
Iceland primarily uses drop-off/recycling centre collection rather than comprehensive kerbside collection. Collection points and recycling centres are the main infrastructure for most recyclables. A deposit return scheme operates for beverage containers.
Collection Streams
Plastics Recycling (Drop-off)
What goes in:
- Packaging: plastic bags, film, trays, tubs, bottles, caps/lids, foam (EPS) packaging
- Non-packaging (commonly accepted): plastic straws
What does NOT go in:
- Bulky plastics (take to a reception/recycling centre)
- Bioplastics/'compostable' plastics
- Electronics, balloons, rubber
Notes:
- Plastics should be empty/clean and volume reduced (squash)
- 'Bulky plastics' are explicitly directed to a móttökustöð / recycling centre
Metal Packaging Recycling (Drop-off)
What goes in:
- Packaging: food tins/cans, other metal packaging, jar lids, aluminium foil
- Non-packaging (often accepted): staples, springs, screws, paper clips
What does NOT go in:
- Electronics; batteries; crisp/snack bags
Notes:
- National guidance treats this as 'metal packaging', but some systems accept small metal pieces too (e.g., staples/screws)
- Gas cylinders/CO₂ cartridges must not go here
Paper & Cardboard (Drop-off)
What goes in:
- Packaging: cardboard boxes, paper packaging, cereal boxes, egg cartons, clean pizza boxes, drink cartons; wrapping paper
- Non-packaging: newspapers, office paper, brochures, envelopes (incl. window envelopes), books, receipts, sticky notes, toilet roll tubes
What does NOT go in:
- Composite paper-plastic packs unless separated
- Dirty/soiled paper; tissues/kitchen paper/napkins used for wiping; baking paper; plastic bags
Notes:
- Put paper/cardboard loose (not inside a plastic bag); remove food residues
- Drink cartons can go in; some municipalities allow caps to stay on cartons
Glass Recycling (Drop-off)
What goes in:
- Packaging: clean glass jars; glass bottles without deposit
- Sometimes accepted: some other non-functional glass items (if your local system allows)
What does NOT go in:
- Never include: porcelain/ceramics; mirrors; tiles; lids/caps; deposit glass bottles; tempered/heat-resistant glass (e.g., oven dishes, pot lids); medicine bottles (where specified)
Notes:
- Keep glass empty and clean; sort caps/lids with metal or plastics as relevant
- Keep ceramics/porcelain out—this is a major contamination risk
- If you have very large quantities, some areas require delivery to a dedicated facility
Food Waste / Bio-waste
What goes in:
- Fruit/veg scraps & peels; eggs/eggshells; meat/fish scraps (incl. bones); bread/cakes; rice/pasta; coffee grounds + paper filters; paper tea bags; uncoloured napkins & kitchen paper; cut flowers/houseplant leaves
What does NOT go in:
- Chewing gum; bioplastics; cat litter/animal waste; coarse garden waste; cotton; 'compostable' packaging
Notes:
- In the capital area system, food waste should go in paper bags only (no plastic, 'corn/maize' bags, or bioplastic bags), and compostable packaging is not allowed (doesn't break down fast enough in industrial composting)
Residual / Mixed Waste
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: disposable diapers, sanitary pads, wet wipes, vacuum cleaner bags; plasters, cotton buds, sponges; tape/cellophane; 'dirty or otherwise non-recyclable' items
What does NOT go in:
- Keep OUT: food waste; paper/cardboard; plastics; metals; glass; textiles; batteries; hazardous waste; electronics; medicines; deposit-return bottles/cans; garden waste; construction debris; bulky waste
Notes:
- This is the 'last resort' bin for what cannot be recycled/composted
- Municipal lists explicitly tell residents not to put recyclables, hazardous waste, WEEE, batteries, medicines, or deposit items here
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
What goes in:
- Beverage plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminium cans with deposit
What does NOT go in:
- Non-deposit plastic packaging (e.g., ketchup/detergent bottles), glass jars/food bottles, non-deposit metal packaging (e.g., food tins, aerosol cans)
Notes:
- Hand in to Endurvinnslan return points (or charity collection containers)
- Endurvinnslan explicitly only accepts deposit-eligible beverage packaging; non-deposit glass (like food jars) should go to municipal glass collection instead
What Gets Collected
Accepted Items
- • Packaging materials (varies by stream)
- • Empty and clean containers
- • Material-specific items
Not Accepted
- • Non-packaging items
- • Contaminated materials
- • Hazardous containers with contents
Regional Variations
Collection systems in Iceland may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Iceland primarily uses drop-off collection points and recycling centres rather than comprehensive kerbside collection
Check your local municipality's guidance for specific collection points and accepted items
The deposit return scheme (DRS) is an important route for beverage containers—return them for a refund
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.