Don't forget to wash the trash.....

[mortimer]

I rinse to the point that it doesn't stink if the recycleables
sit in the garage for a number of weeks. A little cat food
crust or jelly crust will just dessicate.

I use water/soap that is going down the drain anyway
when I wash the dishes.

People that choose not to participate in recycle plans
should have to pay double for putting all their recycleables
in the garbage instead of the recycle stream.

[Minathebrat]

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

There's a great slate article at Is it worth it to wash out your recyclables? - By Nina Shen Rastogi - Slate Magazine that addresses bottle washing for recycling.

Great article! Thanks Zoidberg!

[TiaDalma]

I don't like to waste the water either for the rinsing out of cans and bottles. Most times I don't waste it. Dish water works at the end of washing and then I squirt each with either Vinegar-water mix or Windex. Kills the germs, cuts the scent/smell they might create while waiting a week in the bin in the garage, before the weeks pick-up comes. This also helps cut the scents that attracts mice and insects (Ants! and bees) into the garage, and the raccoons that might be attracted to the bin sitting on the driveway waiting for the pick-up. (summer time is the worse except mice in the winter, which I've had no problems with since doing the Windex or vinegar spray trick, on cans and bottles)

Our pick-ups are early in the mornings, I try to get it out of the garage right before they come, because the raccoons do a number on the neighbors trash. It ends up all over the place and torn bags, (we aren't allowed Trash Cans! only bags!), if it's put out the night before or way too early before the sun comes up

Give the Vinegar or Windex spray a try, it helps alot

Tia Dalma