Do bottles and cans for recycling have to be cleaned?
Bottles and cans should be empty and free of problem residues (pasty food residues, milk). A light rinsing or scraping with a rubber spatula may be required to accomplish this. OWM cautions not to waste water (especially hot water) rinsing food and beverage containers. By doing so, you will reduce – even cancel out, the energy and resource conservation benefits of recycling. Where feasible, use old rinse water leftover after washing dishes to clean bottles and cans.
