Reykjavík to launch waste sorting pilot project

The City of Reykjavík is preparing to launch a pilot project focused on waste sorting in public areas. The initiative was recently introduced to the city’s Environment and Planning Committee and is expected to begin in the near future.

The project follows a proposal approved last year aimed at advancing waste separation efforts in public spaces. Its goal is to identify the most effective methods for public waste sorting, ultimately guiding decisions on future implementation across the city.

Reykjavík has in recent years provided waste sorting containers in high-traffic areas, allowing the public to separate cardboard, plastic, bottles, cans, and general waste. However, according to a recent report, the results have been unsatisfactory—most of the collected materials were deemed unsuitable for recycling and ultimately treated as general waste.