What characterizes biodegradable waste?

Biodegradable waste is characterized by its ability to be broken down biologically by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers. This process leads to the natural decomposition of organic materials over time, resulting in substances like compost or biogas that can be beneficial for soil and the environment. Organic materials such as food scraps, paper products, and yard waste fall under this category, as they can be readily decomposed by these living organisms.

In contrast, the other options misrepresent the nature of biodegradable waste. For example, stating that biodegradable waste is only capable of being chemically processed fails to acknowledge the essential biological processes involved in decomposition. Claiming that biodegradable waste cannot decompose over time directly contradicts the definition, as it is this very characteristic that defines the term. Finally, stating that biodegradable waste includes only non-organic materials is incorrect; biodegradable waste is primarily composed of organic materials that can decompose. Thus, option C correctly identifies the key aspect of biodegradable waste being its susceptibility to biological decomposition.