This projected continuing increase in waste volumes is primarily due to an assumed sustained growth in private final consumption (i.e. an average growth in the EU‑15 and EU‑12 respectively of 2 % and 4 % per year by 2020 (EC, 2006)) and a continuation of current trends in consumption patterns.
Tagann an méadú leanúnach réamh‑mheasta seo mar thoradh go príomha ar fhás toimhdithe gan staonadh um thomhailt phríobháideach dheiridh (.i. meánfhás 2 % saoránach an AE‑12 ach 335 kg ar an meán sa bhliain 2004, cé gur 570 kg an méid a ghin saoránach an AE‑15 an bhliain chéanna.