Over the festive season, we eat, drink, party and buy more than at any other time of the year, but it’s also when we generate extra waste.

Australian households throw out about $5.3 billion of food every year (approximately 450,000 garbage trucks of waste).

Shoalhaven City Council waste minimisation officer Fiona Schreurs said council has increased kerbside recycling to a weekly pickup from Monday, December 23 to Friday, January 31.

“Many towns will be serviced earlier than usual during this period so please leave your bin out the night before to ensure it is emptied,” Ms Schreurs said.

“Your collection day will not change.

“These additional recycling services are being provided by council in response to the additional recyclable material produced during this holiday period and it is a very welcomed change.

“Kerbside recycling services return to their normal fortnightly schedule from Monday, February 3,” she said.

Ms Schreurs encouraged people to look at their purchasing habits at all times of the year but understood local waste increases over Christmas because the population swells and gifts and cards are exchanged.

“Over Christmas the local population swells to approximately 400,000 and we have responded with increased opening hours at depots to cope with that,” Ms Schreurs said.

“We have provided information about recycling options and waste management on the council website and Planet Ark has provided waste management tips for Christmas on their website as well.

“Generally when it comes to sustainability where people are employing life changes, they save money and that is a major hook for people.”

Planet Ark found Australians spent around $913 million on extra food at Christmas last year and is asking everyone to undertake some simple actions to reduce their impact on the environment and their pockets over the festive season.

Planet Ark’s Christmas awareness campaign include tips for reducing food waste and excess packaging, buying green gifts and recycling items like wrapping paper, foil, cartons, drink containers, plastic and cards as well as electronics and batteries.

For more information on the Planet Ark Christmas waste management campaign for the Shoalhaven Area visit recyclingnearyou.com.au/council/ShoalhavenNSW or go directly to the Shoalhaven City Council website www.shoalhaven.nsw.

gov.au.