to wonder why you don't wash/rinse your recycling?

[kinkyfuckery]

Sorry, this has probably been done before.

We have an excellent kerbside recycling collection here. I know many people who don't rinse their recyclables as "Why should I?" "I can't be bothered" "Eh, why would I do that?"
For me, it's just an extension of washing up. Dishes get washed, pots get washed, then recycling gets washed. It sits on the draining board to drip dry then makes it's way to the recycling bin.

Do you? Those who don't, why not?

Maggots can grow on anything- you may as well wash every bit of rubbish if that's your worry- not just recycling

Eh? You sure, Feckeggblue? I thought, the bluebottles just laid their eggs in rotting carcasses.

I don't wash anything that goes in my green bin, it's always overflowing too due to this stupid once a fortnight crap.

I would love to be able to pay the borne bin charge £25? And get an extra black bin and another £25? For an extra green bin.

They won't do that so my bins are more communal that designated just like the rest of the houses down my street seem to do the same as well.

Hmm well not sure of the science of it but I've had maggots in my black bin and there is no meat in it - generally just happens in hot weather (it is grim)

I didn't know you had to

I simply can't be arsed, I have enough to do as it is

Because I didn't know I was supposed to.

AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

Also, if you put the lid back on the empty milk carton, how does the smell reach you?

Why did I read this boring thread, all 4 pages!? Why oh why?

ScotsWhaHae Me too

You are meant to take the tops off bottles so they don't explode when they are compacted.

Seriously did everyone else get a 'rules of recycling' handbook or something?! I just got some recycling bins and a list of what to put in them. No rules around washing/taking bottle lids off etc.

I do because it sits there for a fortnight before being collected, so I don't want old food sitting there smelling for all that time....before you get on to flies, maggots, etc.

I wash the lot! You could get all kinds of rats and other pests if you didn't, particularly with a fortnightly collection.

GotTo

here's a little link:-

it says clearly here to rinse some items eg cartons and on my leaflet on recycling it says the same.

www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/rrandw/collection/resident/recycling-collection/house-recycle

here's an example from Warwickshire Council re washing aluminium cans:-

www.warwickshire.gov.uk/azrecycling

I assume most councils want cans/cartons washed/rinsed.

shove I raised the rats and vermin question but was squashed down on that one... but I think you COULD attract them if food wasn't rinsed from cartons...

Compost bin has a lid and a sort of lockable handle so that'd be ok. And the plastic containers go in a big wheelie bin so that'd be safe too. But the cans foil etc go outside with glass jars/bottle etc in a box (which has lids but 2 of them have long gone) - I can see that attracting mice/rats. mind you we have a lovely fox family and a few cats locally so hope they'd deal with the mice/rats!

We have a fortnightly collection and if I didn't rinse things out the bin would smell.

I can't be arsed either. I'm actually glad I read that there are more like me, truly I thought I was in the vast minority that doesn't.

We have to rinse it - notice on bin specifically states no food contaminated items to be put in bin. It is a nuisance and puts me off getting takeaway meals now as have to stand and wash out all the containers afterwards.
However I work in a port town (different council to where I live) where a couple of years ago, recyclable waste was stored on quay for a while waiting shipment. The resultant flies were a nightmare - the shops ran out of fly spray etc it was such a problem.

Cans and jars get a rinse after the washing up's done mainly because I don't fancy the stench of two week old leavings wafting around but also because the foxes would have field day after field day should they learn there's food residue for the licking.

I don't bother with drink cans and alcohol bottles and anything that doesn't come off or out easily so I may well be sabotaging my own efforts but I'm pissed off with endlessly washing rubbish so I'll take my chances.

Cannot be arsed.

I always rinse. There are people involved in the recycling process, and those people deserve a bit of respect, and bit of thoughtfulness to their working conditions.

ItsAll my friend who lives in Lambeth she didn't used to have to sort out her recycling - no bins or anything but she still rinsed what she could.

Me personally I'm the same as you I'd rather it be washed. Also I keep recycling before it goes outside in a sort of lean-to area (where washing machine is) in bins there so if it was minging I'd soon know about it!

I always rinse out my recycling. Takes no time at all to do and I find it strangely satisfactory to see the last dregs of ketchup removed and a shiny bottle left in its place... I don't go mad about it but I do, do it.

Because I was raised in a family where the ultimate condemnation of a neighbour's slovenly ways was the comment (hissed in a horrified voice) 'She doesn't wash her milk bottles..!' and after 60 years I still hear my Mum's voice in my head if I don't wash milk cartons, tins etc
Oh, and the stink if I left a recycling bin for 2 weeks in summer...