But I wonder can those more intelligent than I interpret "Please
squash plastic bottles before retightening the lid so they take up
less space. Please remove all bottle tops before placing in the
recycling bag."


I remove all bottle caps, and then just tread on the plastic bottles.
top and bottom and they stay flat. they don't spring back into shape.
Same with cans of all kinds, I tread them flat.
David @ a now overcast Swansea Bay