What is the difference between recyclables and residual waste?

The correct answer addresses the fundamental distinction between recyclables and residual waste in waste management practices. Recyclables refer to materials that have the potential to be processed and transformed into new products. This includes items such as paper, cardboard, certain plastics, glass, and metals that are collected separately so they can undergo recycling processes. These items help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and contribute to resource conservation by allowing materials to be reused.

On the other hand, residual waste is comprised of items that are not suitable for recycling and cannot be processed further. This includes contaminated materials, certain plastics that can't be recycled, and other waste that ultimately ends up in landfills. Therefore, diametrically opposed to recyclables, residual waste is seen as final waste that has no further utility.

Understanding this distinction is key for sanitation workers, as it informs how they manage waste collection, sorting, and processing, ensuring that recyclable materials are diverted from landfills whenever possible.