Although Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, it's also a time where our bins fill up to the brim a little more than usual.
Being mindful of your waste this gift-giving season can make a huge difference and doesn't have to impact the activities of the holidays.
Wagga Wagga City Council Supervisor Solid Waste Tammie Cook says that when it comes to this time of year, there are lots of ways to enjoy celebrations while also being waste efficient.
"When wrapping gifts, you can use newspaper pages, reusable fabric wrapping, pillowcases, or kids' drawings, which helps limit the amount of plastic going into landfill," Ms Cook said.
"If wrapping paper can be salvaged after opening presents, you can hold onto it for next year to save money.
"You can also use ribbons or cloth to tie up the wrapped gifts to avoid sticky tape or even give presents in glass bottles or containers to avoid wrapping altogether.
"Encouraging your loved ones to 'thrift gifts' this Christmas is also a cheap and fun way to save items from landfill. There are plenty of unique and special items that still have plenty of love to give."
Waste doesn't just come in plastic form either. Each festive season, Australians also waste large amounts of leftover food.
"If you're joining with family and friends these holidays, delegating a plate or food item to each person can ensure no one doubles up and that the event is not over catered.
"But, of course, there's always going to be a little bit of waste. Making sure you're placing waste in the right bins will help ensure everything is disposed of correctly."
Christmas food and organic waste is to be discarded in the green lid bin, while wrapping paper, toy boxes, and cardboard food boxes need to go in the yellow lid bin.
Christmas lights and artificial trees can be discarded in the red lid bin or taken to Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC), while cardboard and polystyrene can be dropped off at the centre for free.
There are multiple household waste guides and resources available on the Council website.
