Iceland Considers Domestic Waste Incineration to Mitigate Rising Costs
Iceland is evaluating the establishment of a domestic waste incineration plant to address the increasing costs associated with exporting waste for processing. Currently, Iceland ships approximately 40,000 tonnes of waste annually to Sweden for incineration, incurring costs of around ISK 1 billion. However, with a proposed ban on landfilling mixed waste expected by 2028, the volume of waste could double, potentially raising annual costs to between ISK 5 and 6 billion. In response, Sorpa, a waste management company, and its partners are exploring high-tech incineration solutions within Iceland. The proposed plant, estimated to cost between ISK 25 and 30 billion, is being considered for locations in southwest Iceland, including Helguvík, Bergvík, Grundartangi, and areas near the capital. The initiative aims to leverage modern incineration technology, which is already in use across Europe, to reduce long-term expenditure and utilize energy more efficiently. 
