Most households generate more waste than usual at Christmas so it's easy to see how you could end up with an overflowing bin.
But help is at hand. Here are some ideas for how you can enjoy the festive season without costing the earth. If you have any ideas to share we'd love to hear them. Please email wastemanagement@derbyshire.gov.uk
During the countdown to Christmas
Go greener
Buy recyclable Christmas cards, gift tags and wrapping paper without foil, glitter, bows, musical features and foil as these materials contaminate the recycling process.
Swap sticky tape for low-tack Washi tape which is a decorative masking tape or use ribbon and string to secure your wrapping.
Consider giving gifts in reusable cloth bags instead of using wrapping paper or gift bags made of paper and card.
Buy or make fabric napkins for your festive dinner table instead of paper as they can be washed and used again.
Buy reusable Christmas crackers that slide open instead of tear and fill with your own gifts or make your own with loo roll inners, brown paper and your own gifts
Buy presents that contain recycled content such as glass tableware, stationery or photo frames.
If you're buying sweets and chocolate, look out for wrappings which can be recycled.
Looking for the perfect present for a green-fingered friend or relative? Buy one of our compost bins or water butts at special prices.
If you have a plastic tree keep using it as it takes around 10 uses to have a lower carbon footprint than a real one.
If you're replacing the lights on your tree, look for LED ones to save energy and recycle the old ones.
Check out charity shops and online second hand sites for gifts.
A great low waste and free gift is the gift of time and create some tim e vouchers to give to friends and family.
Buy a rooted Christmas tree that you can use year after year.
Buy gift experiences such as theatre, cinema or concert tickets, days out rather than more stuff.
Make your own and save money
UK households spend an average of £25 on decorations each Christmas, so you could save money by making your own. Or if you're giving your tree a new look this year why not try giving some of your old decorations a makeover.
Save your old glass jars from pasta sauces and jam. You can fill them with favourite sweets or homemade chutney or preserve and decorate as Christmas gifts.
Love your clothes
Jazz-up an old knit for your Christmas jumper or reuse an existing one – there could even be a prize for the best one!
Be a savvy food shopper to cut waste as well as your bill
We're more likely to waste food at Christmas than at any other time of year. Check out our food waste prevention check list.
Plan what you need
With so many tempting treats in the shops it's easy to buy too much so this year, take the time to check your cupboards, fridge and freezer before shopping to avoid buying more than you need.
Love Food Hate Waste has a portion control calculator.
Clear out your freezer
Use up stuff from the freezer now to make space for festive fodder. And if you like to make your own, you can always make a few items to freeze to save you time at Christmas, like bread sauce, stuffing, sausage rolls.
Know your turkey
A 2kg bird will feed 3 to 4 people, a 4kg bird will feed 5 to 6 and a 6kg bird will feed 8 to 9.
Advice for shopping online
Check the dates as you unpack so you don't get caught out by items going out of date.
Remember 'use-by' means food must be eaten by this date, or frozen to keep things for longer.
'Best before' is for quality only so food is still safe to eat after this date.
Check the fridge temperature
If it's too high food can perish quickly. It should be 5°C or less all year round and it's worth double-checking at Christmas as fridges are likely to be fuller and having to work harder to stay at the right temperature.
If you're unsure how to adjust your fridge then use this fridge tool.
Stock up on reusable containers
Most of your leftovers will keep for up to 2 days when wrapped in the fridge. Keep your food in the correct place to keep it at its best. And if you're not going to use it up check whether it can go in the freezer.
- bread can be kept in a bread bin or cupboard in the original packaging
- onions need to be kept in a cool dark place
- fruit and vegetables (except onions, bananas and whole pineapple) can be kept in the fridge in their original packaging
- transform leftover turkey into a tasty curry
- leftover hard cheeses are perfect for freezing
- freeze any cold meats leftover after Boxing Day and they'll be ideal for lunch at work in the new year
When reheating food ensure that food is piping hot all the way through before serving.
Take a look at our Christmas leftovers video and recipe cards for more inspiration.
Turn over a new leaf and look for more plant-based recipes.
Check out our 50 ways to make food go further campaign and Love Food Hate Waste for food and money saving ideas for throughout the year.
Seasonal recycling collections
The days your recycling will be collected over the festive period can change so check with your local district or borough council and don't forget to recycle cardboard, glass, tins, plastic bottles and paper.
Recycle real Christmas trees by taking them to our household waste recycling centres. Or you can put them next to your garden waste bin for composting.
In the new year
Derbyshire's food banks will welcome any surplus seasonal goodies, tins, packets and long dated items you haven't got around to eating.
Recycle old electricals, unwanted gifts, and clothes at our recycling centres and local charity shops and furniture projects. You may be able to sell some things online and other things can possibly be mended at your local repair café.
Make gift tags from your Christmas cards and paper chains from leftover wrapping paper ready for next time!