stashing the empties is one of those weird "alcoholic" things......but then again, haven't many of us "hidden" or stashed the remenants of something......maybe a bag of oreos, or the shopping receipt for something we knew was way too expensive....hiding the evidence??
if he just puts them in the trash or recycle, they will be seen. and his cover blown. he then would have to find a way - like Carlos the gardener (lol) - to sneak them out of the house, take them somewhere and dispose of them. in lieu of either of those choices, he hides them somewhere that "no one" will find.
i think we had a funny yet really sad thread about hiding places?? it's a shame that creative genius can't be harnessed for better purposes!!!