Litterers Could Face Heavy Fines

If you litter in the Highlands or along the national highway, you might want to get ready to pay at least 100,000 ISK in fines.

A bill calling for such a punishment was submitted by the Independence Party May 16 by MP Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, and has so far the support of Elín Hirst, Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir, Ásmundur Friðriksson, Haraldur Benediktsson, Jón Gunnarsson, Valgerður Gunnarsdóttir and Vilhjálmur Árnason.

“Garbage that is thrown out into nature blemishes the environment,” the bill argues in part. “By letting such conduct continue, we damage the Icelandic nature.” The bill also points out that elsewhere in the world, people who litter in natural settings are often charged heavy fines.

In a poll conducted by DV, nearly 75% of Icelanders support such a measure.