Despite EU fines, Greece struggling to boost garbage recycling nationwide

ATHENS, Greece - A steady stream of EU fines and two decades of trying have failed to get recycling off the ground in Greece, where eco-awareness is only halfheartedly promoted by authorities.

According the European Environment Agency, only 16 percent of household waste is recycled across the country, compared to a 50-percent target by 2020 under EU directives.

In contrast, the European recycling average is 28 percent, with Slovenia leading at 49 percent and Latvia bringing up the rear at 3 percent.