According to environmental experts, approximately what percentage of the trash generated by human activities is actually recyclable if proper systems are used?

Introduction / Context:
Waste management and recycling are major topics in environmental science and sustainable development. Many examinations include questions about how much of the waste we generate could theoretically be recycled. This question focuses on that approximate proportion, as suggested by environmental experts, and therefore tests general awareness about the potential of recycling systems rather than the limited amount that is currently recycled in practice.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the approximate percentage of trash that is recyclable.
• It refers to expert estimates under proper recycling conditions.
• Four options are given: 16 percent, 36 percent, 72 percent, and 90 percent.
• Only one reflects the commonly cited high potential for recycling.

Concept / Approach:
Many environmental studies have indicated that a very large proportion of household and industrial waste can be recycled if it is properly segregated and processed. Materials such as paper, glass, many metals, and several types of plastic are recyclable, and organic waste can be composted or used in bioenergy. As a result, experts often state that around 90 percent of trash is potentially recyclable, while the remaining fraction consists of items that are very difficult to process or contaminated beyond practical recovery.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the question is about potential recyclability, not current recycling rates. Step 2: Recall that environmental campaigns often highlight a very high percentage of waste being capable of recycling, close to complete but not exactly 100 percent. Step 3: Among the options, 90 percent best matches this commonly cited high potential value. Step 4: Lower values such as 16 percent or 36 percent are closer to actual recycling rates in many regions, not the theoretical maximum. Step 5: The intermediate option 72 percent is higher but still does not reflect the often quoted expert estimate, so the most accurate answer is 90 percent.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative way to reason is to think of the main categories of solid waste: biodegradable waste, recyclable inorganic materials like metals and glass, recyclable plastics, and hazardous or highly contaminated items. If one mentally adds up all categories that can be recycled or reused with existing technologies, the fraction becomes very large. Environmental awareness materials frequently state that nearly all the trash we throw away every day could be recycled or composted if the correct infrastructure were in place, which supports an answer close to 90 percent rather than a much lower figure.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The value 16 percent is far too low and typically corresponds to limited real world recycling rates in some places. The 36 percent figure is also low for potential recyclability, although it might align with better but still incomplete systems. The 72 percent figure is higher but still does not match the common assertion about the very high potential. In contrast, 90 percent captures the idea that almost all waste could be diverted from landfills under ideal conditions, making the other options less suitable.

Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is to confuse the potential recyclability of waste with the actual rate at which waste is recycled in most cities, which is still relatively low. Another mistake is to think that because recycling rates are disappointing, the theoretical potential must also be modest. Exam candidates may also choose a middle value such as 72 percent because it feels safe, but this does not reflect how optimistic experts are about what is possible with proper segregation and technology.

Final Answer:
Experts estimate that around 90% of trash is recyclable if appropriate systems are applied.