The plastic drinking bottles can be squashed and the lid put back on, u DONT need the hot water... just extra work to heat the water then soak and squash. I do it to ALL my plastic... milk jugs too can be "flattened" and put lid on while flat. Takes a lot less space in garbage can. We tear up cardboard like cereal boxes to keep sharp corners from making holes in garbage bag. A lot of these are just so unnecessary.