Which statement best describes the difference between garbage and rubbish?

Which statement best describes the difference between garbage and rubbish?

• A. Garbage: non-putrescible; Rubbish: putrescible from food
• B. Garbage: putrescible wastes from food; Rubbish: non-putrescible wastes (paper, glass, metal)
• C. Garbage: waste that is hazardous; Rubbish: recyclable
• D. Garbage: biodegradable; Rubbish: inert

Answer: (B)

Putrescible versus non-putrescible waste is the key idea. Garbage refers to wastes that decompose quickly, mainly food scraps and other organic matter that can attract pests and produce odor. Rubbish refers to wastes that don’t decay rapidly, such as paper, glass, metal, and similar non-organic materials. This distinction is why the statement that garbage is putrescible wastes from food and rubbish is non-putrescible wastes like paper, glass, and metal is the best description. The other options mix up the decomposition behavior or bring in concepts like hazardous, recyclable, biodegradable, or inert, which aren’t the standard way these terms are defined.

Putrescible versus non-putrescible waste is the key idea. Garbage refers to wastes that decompose quickly, mainly food scraps and other organic matter that can attract pests and produce odor. Rubbish refers to wastes that don’t decay rapidly, such as paper, glass, metal, and similar non-organic materials. This distinction is why the statement that garbage is putrescible wastes from food and rubbish is non-putrescible wastes like paper, glass, and metal is the best description. The other options mix up the decomposition behavior or bring in concepts like hazardous, recyclable, biodegradable, or inert, which aren’t the standard way these terms are defined.