Christmas is a time for giving gifts to our loved ones, sharing great food, and decorating the house and garden.
With that comes a lot of packaging and a lot of waste.
Corangamite Shire Council Waste and Sustainability Officer Jess Maxwell has some handy tips on how to minimise the impact and care for the environment as well.
"With a bit of planning, you can enjoy this festive season without the inconvenience of overflowing bins on boxing day," Ms Maxwell said.
"Food waste is a huge issue throughout the year and especially at Christmas. More than a third of all food is wasted so it's worth the effort to plan ahead.
"Work out how many people are expected, then plan what you're going to serve. Write a shopping list that accounts for all aspects of what you'll be serving – from cheese boards through to dessert – and stick to it."
Ms Maxwell said if you're planning to ask your guests to bring a plate, don't just request a salad or dessert.
"Be specific so you avoid having multiples of the same dish," she said.
"Instead of putting everything out when guest arrive, serve smaller quantities and top up as you go to keep food fresh. If you're outside, keep food covered to keep flies at bay.
"After the main event, don't let food sit out and spoil. Store it in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer.
"If you are unsure about leftovers being safe to eat, there are great resources online to help build your food safety knowledge.
"Visit ozharvest.org or foodbank.org.au for food storage advice and recipes to help use up leftovers."
"Any spoiled food that can be disposed of should go into your Food Organics and Garden Organics Bin, including ham bones, shellfish and dairy."
Ms Maxwell said crushing cans and flattening boxes would help fit more in the bin when gift packaging mounts up. Reusing wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes will help save space and keep waste out of landfill.
"Gift wrapping paper and paper or cardboard decorations often have a waxed or plastic coating. If it's 100% paper, it can go in the recycling bin. If you're not sure, it's safer to put it in the red bin."
Due to the public holidays on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, all transfer stations and Corangamite Regional Landfill at Naroghid will be closed on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 December, and Monday 1 January 2024.
"As the major holidays fall on Mondays this year, kerbside collections will be pushed back one day" Ms Maxwell said.
If you have too much to fit into your bins, the Council Operated Transfer Stations will be operating throughout the holiday period, with closures only on the major holiday days.
