úrgang

In Icelandic, úrgang generally refers to waste or refuse—materials that are discarded, unwanted, or no longer in use. In legal and policy contexts, the term denotes substances or objects that must be managed and treated to minimize environmental and health risks. It is used across sectors to describe streams produced by households, industry, commerce, construction, and agriculture.

Waste is commonly categorized by source—such as household waste, industrial waste, construction and demolition waste, agricultural waste, and medical waste—and by hazard, including non-hazardous and hazardous waste. It can take the form of solids, liquids, or sludge. Common material streams include plastics, metals, paper and cardboard, organic waste, electronics (e-waste), batteries, and chemicals.

Management follows the waste hierarchy: prevention; reuse and repair; recycling and material recovery; energy recovery through incineration or other processes; and disposal at landfills as a last resort. This framework aims to minimize environmental impact and promote resource efficiency. Extended producer responsibility schemes place some responsibility for post-consumer products on manufacturers and importers.

Policy and practice in Iceland align with broader European frameworks, such as the EU Waste Framework Directive, through the European Economic Area. National laws regulate collection, treatment, and disposal, with emphasis on waste prevention, source separation, recycling infrastructure, and, where appropriate, waste-to-energy facilities. Landfilling is treated as a last option.

Environmental concerns related to waste include pollution, leachate and odors from landfills, and greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organic matter. Effective úrgang management seeks to reduce generation, increase recycling, and support a transition toward a circular economy.