Marilyn Bohn | Creative Organizer

Elvis reportedly ate it with bananas, smashed between two slices of fried bread. E.T. was entranced by an artificially flavored candy version. However you serve it, peanut butter is loved by people ― and perhaps aliens ― everywhere.
But this classic spread poses a sticky situation for those striving to be green and clean. Polish off a jar and you’re left with a messy container that seems like it might take more of Earth’s resources to clean than are saved in the recycling process.
Patrick Gonzalez a scientist with the Conservancy’s Climate Change Program and an avid recycler, answers: “Your first step is to check with your local recycling program and find out if they require items to be washed.
Some recycling programs do not ask you to wash containers, so you can conserve water and energy by depositing your containers unwashed. These programs likely send their glass and plastic to facilities that rinse the containers before processing. Recycling plants cannot fabricate high-quality products from glass or plastic material that contain too much food or other organic matter.
But many cities ― including my current home of Washington, D.C. ― do ask residents to wash containers before placing them out for collection. They ask people to wash for two reasons. First, to avoid sanitation problems with rats and other vermin. Second, some recycling facilities do not rinse glass and plastic before processing.
You can efficiently wash your containers by adding a small amount of water and shaking the container to rinse the interior. This will use less water than rinsing the container under a running faucet. You can even easily wash that peanut butter jar: Place some water and a bit of dish soap in the jar, close it with the lid, shake it, then let the jar sit overnight. Most of the peanut butter will eventually dissolve”.
I thought this was an interesting question about washing out peanut butter jars. I just put it in the dishwasher with my other dishes. Our small acts of recycling will save energy reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help conserve nature. We have recycled for years in our home and I just found out this week I can get curb side recycling from a local company until our city approves it. They take everything where our city doesn’t. To read more about the earth, conservancy and recycling go to: http://www.nature.org/
Do you have a favorite recycling story? How long have you been recycling? Do you have any tips for recycling?