For decades, Britain’s guilt-ridden eco-zealots have scrubbed pots and jars until their knuckles ache, terrified a single smear of jam could contaminate an entire truckload of recycling.
But according to the man tasked with handling nearly half of the nation’s rubbish, all their hours spent hunched over the kitchen sink were for nothing.
Richard Kirkman, the UK boss of waste giant Veolia, has revealed there is no need to wash out cans and jars before putting them in the recycling.
He says whatever grime is left behind is simply blasted away in an industrial-grade washing machine.
Speaking to The Times, Mr Kirkman said: ‘If it’s
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