In the management of nonbiodegradable waste such as plastics and metals, which of the following options is generally considered one of the best and most environmentally friendly solutions?

Introduction / Context:
Nonbiodegradable waste, such as many plastics, metals and certain glass items, does not break down easily in the environment. If not managed properly, such waste can accumulate, pollute land and water and harm wildlife. Modern waste management aims to reduce the environmental footprint of nonbiodegradable materials by using strategies higher up in the waste hierarchy. This question asks you to identify which option among burning, dumping, burying and recycling is generally regarded as one of the best solutions for nonbiodegradable waste.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Nonbiodegradable waste does not decompose quickly under natural conditions.
• The options include burning, dumping, burying and recycling.
• We consider environmental impact, resource conservation and long term sustainability.
• Open burning and open dumping are known to cause pollution.
• Recycling recovers materials and reduces demand for new raw resources.

Concept / Approach:
The waste management hierarchy prioritises options that reduce waste generation and maximise resource recovery. For nonbiodegradable materials, recycling is particularly important because it allows plastics, metals and glass to be processed and turned into new products. This reduces the need to extract fresh raw materials, saves energy and decreases the volume of waste sent to landfills or incinerators. In contrast, burning nonbiodegradable waste, especially in open conditions, releases toxic gases and particulates. Dumping in open areas or water bodies causes long lasting pollution and harms ecosystems. Burying waste may hide it temporarily but can lead to soil and groundwater contamination. Therefore, recycling stands out as the best option in the list from an environmental and resource conservation point of view.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is specifically about nonbiodegradable waste, which does not break down easily. Step 2: Evaluate burning. Open burning of plastics and other materials releases harmful gases, including dioxins and other pollutants, and is not recommended. Step 3: Evaluate dumping. Simply dumping waste on land or in water bodies leads to long term pollution and visual blight and is considered a poor practice. Step 4: Consider burying. While burying may seem to remove waste from sight, it does not solve the problem and can contaminate soil and groundwater over time. Step 5: Recognise that recycling collects, sorts and processes waste into raw materials for new products, reducing environmental impact, saving energy and conserving resources. Therefore, recycling is the best among the listed options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Environmental policies and waste management guidelines from many countries encourage the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. For nonbiodegradable items such as plastic bottles, metal cans and glass, recycling programmes are widely promoted. Reports show that recycling aluminium and steel saves a large percentage of the energy that would be required to produce them from ore. Similarly, plastic recycling reduces the demand for new petrochemical production. Open burning and uncontrolled dumping are specifically discouraged in these guidelines because of their severe environmental impacts. This consistent policy emphasis confirms that recycling is the preferred solution among the options provided.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, burning the waste in open areas, causes air pollution and releases toxic chemicals, making it harmful for human health and the environment.

Option b, dumping the waste, leads to land and water pollution, harms wildlife and occupies valuable space without recovering any resources.

Option c, burying the waste, may temporarily hide the problem but can lead to long term contamination and does not align with sustainable waste management principles.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may think that burning or burying removes the waste completely, not realising that it only changes its form or location and can cause new environmental problems. Others may confuse recycling with composting, which is effective for biodegradable waste but not for most plastics and metals. To answer correctly, it is important to remember that nonbiodegradable waste is best handled by strategies that keep materials in use for as long as possible, and recycling is a key component of that approach.

Final Answer:
One of the best solutions to manage nonbiodegradable waste is Recycling the waste into useful products.