Iceland: Waste Management Act

(No. 55 of 2003)

The purpose of this Act is to establish a framework for a circular economy and to ensure that waste management and handling are conducted in a manner that:  

a. safeguards human and animal health and prevents harm to the environment;  

b. avoids nuisances such as noise or odors;   

c. protects landscapes and areas of special significance;   

d. ensures purposeful and cost-effective waste management, with appropriate treatment of resulting waste;   

e. promotes the sustainable use of resources through actions and education aimed at reducing waste generation;   

f. increases the utilization of raw materials derived from waste; and   

g. ensures that waste handlers bear the costs of waste treatment.  

The Act comprises 70 articles organized into the following chapters:  

I. Objectives, scope, and definitions;   

II. General provisions;   

III. Transport of waste between countries;   

IV. Batteries and accumulators;   

V. Special provisions on mining industry waste;   

VI. Issuance of regulations;   

VII. Waste from electrical and electronic equipment;   

VIII. Hazardous waste;   

IX. Organic waste;   

X. Special provisions on landfills;   

XI. Special provisions on incinerators;   

XII. Ship recycling;   

XIII. Supervision, enforcement measures, procedures, and sanctions;   

XIV. Implementation and entry into force.  

The Executive Authority is required to issue a national waste management and waste prevention policy every twelve years, applicable across the entire country. Regional plans must also be developed in accordance with this Act. Local governments are responsible for determining the arrangements for the collection of household and commercial waste within their jurisdictions.  

All waste must be directed to appropriate treatment facilities, either directly for reuse or to a collection or reception center, and from there to reuse or disposal, as further specified in regulations or municipal bylaws. Dumping waste anywhere other than at a reception center or in designated waste containers is prohibited, including local containers. Open burning of waste is also prohibited.  

When handling waste and establishing rules for waste management and policy, the following hierarchy must be applied:  

a. waste prevention;   

b. preparation for reuse;   

c. recycling;   

d. other forms of reuse, such as energy production; and   

e. disposal.   

Separate collection must be implemented for at least the following types of waste: paper and cardboard, metals, plastics, glass, biological waste, textiles, and hazardous materials. Waste that is not reused, as per Article 11, must be disposed of in accordance with the objectives of this Act.  

All waste reception centers must hold a valid operating permit. Operators are required to submit an annual report to the Environment Agency detailing the waste treated in the previous calendar year. The Environment Agency is responsible for developing educational materials and informing and educating the public and legal entities about waste prevention and management.  

The production, collection, and transportation of hazardous waste, as well as its storage and handling, must align with the objectives of this Act, as outlined in Article 1. Hazardous waste must be collected separately in accordance with Article 10. Mixing hazardous waste with other hazardous waste, other types of waste, or any other materials is prohibited, and dilution of hazardous waste is considered mixing. During collection, transportation, and temporary storage, hazardous materials must be appropriately packaged and labeled.  

Organic waste must be treated in line with the objectives of this Act and the waste management hierarchy defined in Article 7, to the greatest extent possible. This includes:  

a. using it for composting and/or biogas processing;  

b. converting it into fertilizers; or   

c. utilizing materials produced from it.   

This Act ensures a structured and sustainable approach to waste management, emphasizing environmental protection, resource efficiency, and public responsibility.