Two women in hi-vis shirts leaning against a striped boom-gate at the entrance to a waste management facility.
DISPOSE CORRECTLY:  Council’s Supervisor Solid Waste Tammie Cook and Environmental Education Officer Tammie Cook says Gregadoo Waste Management Centre will be open over the holiday period except for Christmas day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

Environment

Take care of your waste this Christmas

Published: 19 Dec 2024 11:43am

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.

Three presents wrapped in recycled cloth and paper.
THAT’S A WRAP: Christmas wrapping can be expensive and wasteful, so using fabric or reusable wrapping is a great way to reduce your waste and save money.

“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.

A hand holding tongs pick up a piece of food from table to place on a plate being held in the other hand. In the background is a pavlova covered in fruit, and a decorated Christmas tree.
SAVE ON SCRAPS: Being waste efficient this festive season can save you time and money, while also being environmentally friendly. Using a list for Christmas groceries or sharing meals with family and friends can help save on food.

“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.