Ever noticed "Wash, Squash, Separate" on a recycling truck? It might sound like it contradicts our usual advice, but it depends on how your recycling is collected. If your recycling is source-separated at the kerb, squash away, it saves space and won't affect sorting. If it all goes into mixed recycling, it's usually better to leave bottles and cans intact because recycling centres often rely on their shape to sort them. As always, follow your local council's guidance.
This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 88 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 2nd April 2026.
While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.
These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast
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