Which type of waste is typically eligible for recycling?

The correct answer identifies a variety of materials that are commonly accepted in recycling programs. Recycling aims to minimize waste and conserve natural resources by processing certain materials so they can be reused in manufacturing.

Materials included in this category—such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal—are widely recyclable because they can be collected, sorted, and processed without significant degradation of their inherent properties. This allows them to be reintroduced into the production cycle to create new products. Certain types of electronics can also be recycled, though they might require specialized handling due to their specific components and materials, which often contain valuable metals and other recoverable elements.

In contrast, food waste typically falls under composting rather than recycling due to its organic nature and the process required to deal with it effectively. Textiles and leather, while recyclable in some instances, do not have the same universally accepted recycling processes as the materials listed in the correct answer. Household hazardous waste must be handled differently, often requiring special disposal methods to ensure safety and environmental protection, rather than being recycled. This highlights the unique categorization that recycling encompasses alongside the need for proper management of other waste types.