Recyclables need to be empty, clean, and dry so they can be sorted properly at the recycling facility, prevent other recyclables from getting wet and dirty, and ensure they will be turned into new products.
- If you wash dishes by hand, use the dirty dishwater to clean off food residue from your containers.
- Take a used paper towel or napkin leftover from dinner to wipe food residue from the container, then compost the food-soiled paper.
- After emptying your liquid laundry detergent, remove the lid and add the whole container into the laundry to clean both your clothes and the container out.
- For containers with small openings, use a bottle brush or straw cleaner to scrape out the last bits.
- Use a spatula to scrape out hard-to-clean containers such as peanut butter, or store near-empty containers upside down to get the last amounts out to use.
Find more ideas at calgary.ca/recycle.
