So, I’m doing research about green living because of a class project. It’s quite apropos considering today is Earth Day. I happened upon The Nature Conservancy’s Website in the course of my research and I found this tidbit under the “Ask the Conservationist” Column.

“Here in Phoenix, we recycle paper, glass, some plastics, etc. Since we’re in a desert, we’re also very water conscious. My question is, am I wasting water by trying to get the peanut butter jar or jam jar clean enough to be recycled?”

Your first step is to check with your local recycling program and find out if they require items to be washed.

Patrick Gonzalez a scientist with the Conservancy’s Climate Change Program and an avid recycler, answers:

Some recycling programs do not ask you to wash containers, so you can conserve water and energy by depositing your containers unwashed.

But many cities ― including my current home of Washington, D.C. ― do ask residents to wash containers before placing them out for collection.

Check out the site for the full answer. Frankly, I hate washing peanut butter out of a container, but I do it.

And FYI: Peanut butter works really well for getting sap off your hands. Don’t ask how I know that.

Alright. Now get out there and hug a tree.