Refuse to throw away cans or bottles

So at a restaurant today where they did not have recycles, but they sold drinks in bottles and cans, which I bought. I could have told the manager that I wish they recycled, I could have taken the empty diet rootbeer can with me, but instead, in protest, I placed the can where the trays are on top of the garbage cans. When other folks see me do it, they did it too...there was about 5 empty totally recyclable items on top of the garbage can. Next time Im in, Im going to ask them to recycle, but today I did what I could.