Ok, so because reasons i have lots of dirty cans building up in my house, and cleaning them all to put them in the recycling has stopped me from putting them in the recycling and caused them to build up further.

Basically, how much does it matter that these cans are clean before i recycle them?

I live in the UK if that helps. Thanks!

  • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
    3·
    3 days ago

    This is assuming you are expected by your council to clean it “thoroughly enough”.

    After you eat/drink the contents, a very quick rinse is all that’s needed. Little stains aren’t going to be bad for recycling.

    If you’ve left it for a while and are worried, a simple but surefire way to clean out any significant gunk would be these steps:

    • Make sure you have a strainer on your sink drain if your plumbing system is fragile.
    • Fill every can or jar with water to near the top
    • Wait 15 minutes
    • pour out a can into the sink
    • fill the can with a bit of water and shake the last bits out
    • pour and lightly rinse the rest of the cans in the same way
    • bin the gunk caught by the strainer.