Do you rinse your empty pop cans with tap water before recycling them?

Question

My neighbor does this and i think it's a terrible waste of fresh water. Here in the southeast we have a water shortage and i think it's wrong to waste fresh water.

Answer 1

If you *don't* rinse them, and then put them in the recycling, the plant will not only *not* recycle them, but will also put anything else you placed in the batch, into the *trash*!

Answer 2

so we don't have to waste water we put them in a trash can sprayed with bug repellant and have no ants!!

Answer 3

I don't because I never recycle.

Answer 4

yes, after washing up in the dirty washing up water

Answer 5

Bug repellent's not very eco Friendly. We have community recycling bins a bank of Green Glass/Clear Glass/ Brown Glass/Paper and one for Cans & Food Tins  between every four or five apartment buildings and you really notice in summer esp when people don't rinse things out it attracts rats and other vermin not to mention the smell of a bin full of sticky sickly sweet drinks cans. I rinse them when I rinse my food tins (Some people don't do this  imagine the smell)  and I use the tap run off when I'm waiting for the water to get really hot or cold , the water from a (naturally) descaled kettle and sometimes waste boiled water i.e from boiling an egg

Answer 6

i wash our cans and bottles out with rainwater from my 3,  40 gallon water butts

Answer 7

Here in Iowa, we have a 5 cent can and bottle redemption which, in respect for the redemption center workers, we are encouraged to bring them in rinsed and clean.  So the question is, what's more environmentally friendly?  Do we use our city water (that we pay good money for every month) to help the redemption centers or recycling centers stay clean and free of insects and vermin so they can continue to recycle aluminum and plastic or do we try to save our endangered water supply? Both could be a blessedly moot point if we all stop drinking pop!  I haven't for years and I don't miss it at all.  It's not good for you in any flavor, sweetness or color according to may studies.  It's even being looked at as the basic source of our country's obesity problem, diet pop included!  How's that for an option everyone?  Drink a glass of water from your tap and treat your body to this thirst quenching, easily digestible resource. No cans or bottles needed!

Answer 8

Yes, I do this. I do this because otherwise the sticky cans will attract ants. I take my bottles/can to the recycling plant only every couple of months. But, I only put a little water in the can, then swish it around. I then pour that water into the next can. I do this with every 2 cans, so I don't think I waste much water.

Answer 9

No, not usually, unless they are my husband's nasty Guiness cans. I agree it is a waste of water. Just try to not leave any liquids in the bottom...good enough for me.