Final answer:
You cannot dispose of all types of waste in standard trash or dumpsters due to potential environmental and health risks. Proper waste segregation and adherence to disposal guidelines are essential, and recycling can be a more sustainable solution. Contaminants like electronics, which contain harmful substances, have specific disposal instructions that must be followed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the question, 'Are we allowed to throw any contaminants in the trash and/or dumpster?', is False. Disposing of contaminants like Styrofoam, plastics, or old electronics in the trash can lead to environmental issues such as air pollution, smog, and groundwater contamination due to their inability to decompose in landfills and the release of carcinogens when burned. Not all waste can be thrown in standard trash and dumpsters due to these risks to public health and the environment.
Furthermore, it's important for the public to follow government safety guidelines in disposing of certain types of waste, especially electronics that contain toxic chemicals. Additionally, the idea of making recycling mandatory poses as a less expensive solution to combat the contamination from waste materials.
Lastly, not everything is accepted by local recycling authorities. There is a need for residents to be informed about proper waste segregation to determine which items can be recycled and which should be combined with ordinary trash. The impact of poor waste disposal is far-reaching, affecting not just land and air, but also oceans and freshwater resources where trash can cause harm to marine and animal life.