We told you to rinse your recyclables.But what about the wasted water?
So we asked some scientists.
The short answer is, a quick rinse is usually worth it.
The long answer is also pretty interesting!
How much to rinse
Recyclables are all washed at the center.
So you only need to rinse them enough that theyre not magnets for rats and ants.
Ive had local residents who proudly told me that they ran their recyclables through the dishwasher.
Ive had local residents who proudly told me that they ran their recyclables through the dishwasher, says Hale.
That, he says, is unnecessary.
(The energy spent on the paper towel is less than that spent on the container.)
Of course, some containers have more stuck-on food.
If you really want to optimize, separate lids and containers when theyre two different materials.
Material types should alway be separated when possible, says Silver.
So plastic caps can stay on plastic packages, but its helpful to keep metal lids off glass jars.
But how much of that energy is wasted by the rinse?
I found that recycling savesfarmore energy than the cost of washing the containers.
you’ve got the option to see Goodmans math, and his sources,in this spreadsheet.
Even with this generous estimate, rinsing only uses up 2-8% of the energy saved by recycling.
Goodmans test ignores several factors, like the local water supply and the benefit of reducing landfill space.
But if your major concern is fossil fuels and climate change, its an open-and-shut case, he says.
Most of that energy comes from heating the water, souse cold water.
But recycling plastic also keeps it out of waterways, she says.
Thats an important way to protect wildlife and the environment.
Youre making the world a little less filthy.
