Washing Containers Before Recycling 💧

Washing Containers Before Recycling 💧: Is rinsing recyclables always needed? We take a look in this blog.

Day by day, the Christmas holiday fastly approaches. Food and drinks bought will be consumed by the merry family and friends. Christmas, after all, is about giving, receiving, and most importantly, spending time with your loved ones.

But after all of that comes the most gruesome part: the cleaning up period. Tipsy as you are because of the alcohol, the next day should make you focus on tidying up your house the moment your visitors make their leave. Sweeping, mopping, throwing – those are the things you will be typically doing.

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Among all of the tasks mentioned, you will surely also include sorting waste. The recyclables go in their respective recycling bin while non-recyclables typically go in the general waste bin. Wastes that go in the recycling bin include plastic bottles and containers, aluminium, steel, paper and cardboard, and others.

Now comes the main question: should we be washing the containers before recycling? Rinsing recyclables is a common notion if you think about it. Let us discuss in this blog.

A bit about Waster

Before we discuss washing containers before recycling, let me share with you more information about Waster.

We here at Waster provide you with innovative solutions for you and your business’s waste management and recycling needs. Furthermore, we provide flexible, 30-day contracts instead of the typical lock-in contracts, which proves to be better.

Click on the blue button to learn more.

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Should you be washing your containers before recycling?

Now, to rinse or not to rinse? That is the question you have in mind. Pizza boxes stained with grease, sticky yogurt containers, and soda bottles with liquids still inside are just some of the recyclable containers you have to consider rinsing.

And, adding to that question, should container cleaning involve the ol’ soap and sponge before recycling? One would think that is overkill. Let us see!

Recyclable bottles, cans, and jars of all types

Containers like bottles, cans, and jars will usually have residue left after consumption. Before chucking them down the bin, give them a little bit of cleaning first. No need to take out your liquid soap and sponge to clean these containers. Filling them with water and shaking the containers will do just fine.

After that, make sure the bottles, cans, and jars have no signs of the residue left inside. Let them dry before finally disposing of them in the recycling bin.

Conversely, if the residue left inside of those containers are a bit sticky like those of caramel candies, tropical mangoes, or gum, then that is a different story. Bust out the dish soap and sponge and start rinsing the containers thoroughly!

You also have to make sure to check if the residue is no more in the containers. After that, let them dry and throw them in the bin.

How about washing paper product containers before recycling?

Take out food like pizza, onion rings, burgers, and doughnuts are usually packaged in paper and cardboard boxes. And, as we all know, materials made of paper and cardboard are very much recyclable. However, is this still the case with greasy oils sticking in the boxes due to the said foods?

The answer is no. Do not even bother washing food box or containers, much less recycling it. However, if your paper and cardboard materials do not have grease on it, then you can go ahead and just clean out the contents before recycling. Broken down or not, clean paper and cardboard are still pretty much recyclable.

Plastic containers

What about plastic bags? Should we be washing these type of containers before recycling them?

You can also lump them in with bottles, cans, and jars. Clear the contents before chucking them in the bin. If in case the plastics were used to store food or the likes, then rinsing the recyclables is best. After that, make sure not to dispose of them when wet. Let them dry first before their disposal.

Always remember to let all the mentioned above dry as it might ruin the recycling process in the facilities.

Recycle with Waster!

After washing containers before recycling, of course, you want them to be handled by the best of the best waste management companies there is in Australia. There is not much point if it does not get recycled properly, in the end.

Waster can help with your recycling (and other waste management) needs! Benefits include the following:

1. You pay exactly what you asked for – and not a dollar more! For your waste management and recycling kerbside bin collection needs, avail our flexible, 30-day contracts instead of those long, unproductive, and hidden fee-containing lock-in contracts.
2. Designed for small and medium businesses – we help you reduce cost while boosting recycling. That’s a win-win situation!
3. On-time and reliable – we provide fully-accredited logistics and facility operators. By saying so, we ensure the safety and efficiency of our services.

Watch this video to know the best reason why you should recycle:

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Conclusion on washing your containers before recycling

Preferably, you should clean your recyclables before disposing of them in the recycling bin. Always make sure to remove them of their contents. Additionally, if they have sticky or greasy substances, thoroughly wash them with dish soap and water. As for paper and cardboard products, it is best to throw them in the rubbish bin if they are contaminated with grease or the likes. Paper and cardboard materials should be clean before recycling.

Check out our video on Pringles container recycling to know more about, you guessed it, recycling!

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Waster: things you need to know

If you’re looking for a specific or multiple of bin services, check our waste recycling shop and find the best deals in terms of pricing and services.

Also, please call 1300 WASTER (1300 927 837), or email us at [email protected] if you have any further questions.