Every year, the employees of Hampiðjan join forces with the Blue Army (Blái herinn) to contribute to cleaning the beaches of Iceland. This past Friday, the destination was Mölvík on the Reykjanes peninsula, located just east of Brimketill – a magnificent natural gem. The work was carried out with great energy in exceptionally good weather; rather warm and the sun shone brightly.
Participation among staff was strong, as the cleanup is scheduled during a regular workday, and all those who can be away from their duties without disrupting service take part. This ensured that this section of coastline could be thoroughly cleaned.
Iceland’s shores often bear traces of human activity at sea, and Mölvík is no exception. A large portion of the waste found there is related to the fishing industry, but some of the debris was clearly several decades old, underscoring the importance of this cleanup work – plastics can linger in nature for a very long time without breaking down. The amount of recent fishing-related debris was minimal in Mölvík, which suggests growing awareness of marine pollution and that less man-made waste is ending up in the sea. Despite this, the ocean still brings large amounts of trash to Iceland’s shores, and the task ahead remains substantial.
After the cleanup, the group gathered at Brimketill, where the Grillvagninn food truck served hamburgers to the crew, creating a great atmosphere and shared experience after a job well done.
The Blue Army, founded in 1995 by Tómas J. Knútsson, is an environmental organization that has played a major role in drawing attention to pollution along Iceland’s coasts and has been at the forefront of cleanup efforts. Its mission is clear: to promote a cleaner natural environment and to remind us all of our 
responsibility to the marine ecosystem and coastal areas.
Hampiðjan is the main sponsor of the Blue Army and has supported the organization for many years with regular financial contributions and direct participation in cleanups. This event is part of the company’s broader vision for sustainability and social responsibility – a commitment to keeping Iceland’s coastline clean and free from plastic and fishing gear waste.
