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Hello, Malone!
So, are the bottles deliberately broken going into the container?
I would be very wary of that.
As regards the "surface reading", it is one of the phrases in the terminology of crossword land that I have not learned.
I do see other phrases used too, but I steer away from them.
My strategy is to solve as simply as I can, and put my paper away, when finished, and look forward to tomorrow's puzzle.

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, you have a great family, Rusty!
But one reaps what one sows.....
You obviously did a brilliant job of bringing up your sons...... and this caring attitude is now being passed down throughout the family.
I do not think the bottles put into a bottle bank will be broken in passage ?
It would surely be too dangerous for anyone clearing out the receptacle?
A weird clue?
And not a very satisfactory one, do you think?

My experience of bottle banks is that,unless they are nearly full, the bottles smash as they hit the bottom/other bottles. The containers are enclosed so there is no danger to anyone- you post the bottles through holes in the side.
Since I had a recycle bin at home, I haven't visited a bottle bank. On Sunday I did a litter pick and was disgusted to see that by 7.00 am Monday (when I went for a walk) my road was aready littered with cigarette ends. I picked these up and put them in someone's non-recycle bin, out for the dustmen. It contained newspapers, bottles and cans. I think people should be fined for that.

Good morning, Elle!
Looks to be dry outside today!
Yes, I count my blessings with my family.
I think we all should.
Unfortunately, I have no glass bottles to test the smashability, or not, of a bottle bank!
I think the clue is OK, I just did not realise the bottles broke at the bottle bank, or at the setter's bottle bank!
But, on thinking about it, a bottle colliding with another bottle would have a great chance of smashing?
Another learning day for me!

Morning, Rusty. There's a bottle bank - and other recycling containers - at the supermarket near me. I always enjoyed seeing people 'posting' their bottles, and enjoyed hearing it too! It's not used as much nowadays, seeing as we've all got individual recycling containers.

Yes, there's a fair bit of jargon involved in crossword-solving. Much of it, such as 'anagrind' and '&lit' is beyond me, so I'm disproportionately pleased about understanding 'surface reading'.

Good morning, Malone!
No spammers today!
When I think about it, I have heard "clatters" coming from the recycling bins.
I am going to pay more attention in future, or find a bottle or two to experiment with!
I think I am glad I am not alone in my ignorance of crossword "jargon".
You do tougher puzzles than I attempt, so I thought you may know all the jargon.
Coincidentally, the first word in today's puzzle is "surface"!

Hello again, Malone.
In Saturday's Times, each week, there is a Latin crossword puzzle.
I think all the solutions are in Latin.
But, I have never noticed a query on the Forum from anyone seeking help to complete it.
I just wonder if anyone does it?

Good morning, Rosalind.
I share your pain regarding cigarette ends.
I am an ex-smoker (stopped 14 years ago) and scattered fag ends annoy me.
I think ex-smokers are more critical than non-smokers!
I often pick fag ends up to put in a bin when walking home.

Rusty, one of my friends did/attempted the Latin crossword when it first appeared. I think it's a mixture of cryptic and straight clues and I know John would have preferred one or the other!

Rosalind, I feel litter - all sorts of litter - is a growing problem, rather than one we've got to grips with. The punishments, penalties, for even 'big' crimes such as fly-tipping aren't punitive enough.

Hello, Malone!
I suppose the Latin puzzle is popular enough or it would not be published.
Yes, you are correct, it is a mixture of cryptic and straight, but all answers are in Latin.

I agree about the litter problem.
It appears to be getting worse.
I have not seen a street sweeper/cleaner for many a year, either.