flöskur

Flöskur is a term used in Icelandic to refer to bottles. This can encompass a wide variety of containers, from glass bottles used for beverages like milk and water, to plastic bottles for soft drinks and cleaning supplies, as well as metal flasks for liquids. The word itself is a diminutive form, suggesting a smaller or more personal vessel, though it is broadly applied to most bottled items.

The concept of bottled liquids has a long history in Iceland, with early examples likely including containers made from animal bladders or pottery for storing and transporting goods. The advent of glass manufacturing led to more widespread use of bottles for commercial products. In modern times, recycling of flöskur is a significant part of Iceland's waste management system. Specific types of bottles, such as those for alcoholic beverages, often carry a deposit that is refunded upon return, encouraging their collection and reuse or recycling. The term is also used in a more figurative sense, for example, when referring to a "message in a bottle" which in Icelandic would be "skilaboð í flösku".