But in contrast, there is a lack of information on the availability of secondary materials. Even though the quantity of materials in the anthroposphere has risen dramatically in the last few decades, the resource potential in anthropogenic deposits has not been adequately explored.
This means that it is impossible to compare resources/reserves of primary and secondary materials; and also means that future commodity markets do not have integrated information on the availability of materials. This Action aims to address that gap by accelerating the classification & reporting of material resources/reserves in the anthroposphere.
The focus is on:
1) construction and demolition waste,
2) materials regained from landfills and mining residues, and;
3) solid residues from waste incineration.
Today there are large differences between European countries on all three types of waste because of uncoordinated national research, and differing waste management technologies, strategies and policies.
By coordinating national research activities, this Action aims for a breakthrough in the integrated assessment of primary and secondary resources that is necessary for securing future supply of raw materials.