Recycling used containers helps keep plastics out of the landfill, but they may end up in the trash heap anyways if they’re not rinsed.
Sabrina contacted Steele on Your Side to ask how clean recyclables need to be before going into the recycling bin-- and what happens if they're not clean.
The Recycling Council of B.C. told CTV the containers don't need to be spotless, and a quick swish in dish water before you empty the sink will help to avoid odours and reduce pests.
But a warning: anything that has a lot of food residue in it would be considered contamination and will be sent the landfill, which defeats the purpose of recycling.
A dirty container can also spoil other materials in a recycling bin. For example, coffee left in a paper cup can soil cardboard and printed papers which then cannot be recycled.
