Approximately what percentage of municipal solid waste is landfilled?

The correct choice indicates that approximately 83% of municipal solid waste is landfilled. This figure reflects the significant reliance on landfilling as a method of waste management in many regions. Despite efforts to promote recycling, composting, and waste reduction, a substantial portion of waste generated still ultimately ends up in landfills. This can be attributed to various factors, including the type of waste produced, infrastructure available for waste processing, and public awareness or participation in recycling programs.

For context, while 50% and 73% may be assumptions based on some outdated statistics or regional variations, they do not capture the broader trend observed across a larger number of municipalities where the percentage is higher due to increasing consumption patterns and waste generation. The figure of 90% is relatively extreme and not commonly reflective of contemporary waste management practices, as many communities actively work towards diversion from landfills to more sustainable practices. Therefore, the 83% figure aligns more accurately with current data on municipal solid waste disposal.