The energy-saving and waste-reduction benefits of recycling a container will generally outweigh the value of the small amount of water needed to rinse it out. Recyclables don’t need to be spotless. In most cases, just ridding them of any residue will suffice. However, you should check with your local recycler to find out its exact preferences, as some collection companies require more cleaning than others, while several don’t require rinsing at all.

Although it’s true that recyclables will eventually be bathed again before they’re broken down and reincarnated as something new, it may take more water and energy to wash dirty recyclables at a recycling facility than it would have taken to clean them at home. Consider the amount of washing needed to clean a jar with caked-on spaghetti sauce compared with the water you would have used to rinse it out while the sauce was still fresh.

What's more, for commingled recycling programs (in which all materials are placed in a single bin), rinsing containers keeps contents from leaking out and contaminating other recyclables. For example, if paper stained with food residue is mixed with a batch of clean paper, the entire load may be rejected if the paper recycler feels that it will lower the quality of the end product and/or increase processing costs. A rejected batch of recyclables ends up being sent to a landfill or waste incinerator, and the community from which it originated is usually billed for its disposal.

Finally, maintaining a clean recycling bin will keep undesirable odors and pests at bay.

If you’re concerned about water use or are looking for another innovative way to conserve, here are a few eco-helpful hints for cleaning dirty recyclables.

soak dishes. pour water on outdoor plants instead of down the drain. paper towel. and so on. the empty spots with recyclables.