This type of waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU (over 8 million tonnes and growing) and poses a series of challenges such as health problems if the waste is not properly treated and a loss of raw materials if there is no recycling.
Saskaņā ar dalībvalstu ziņojumiem ES patlaban tiek savākti un pienācīgi apstrādāti tikai 33% atkritumu.