Your easy guide to getting Christmas waste in the right bin
With Christmas just around the corner, many of us find ourselves surrounded by extra wrapping, leftovers and packaging. Sorting it all the right way is one of the simplest things we can do to keep our community clean and reduce unnecessary waste.
The festive season often brings 30% more household waste, especially from food, soft plastics and wrapping paper. It’s also the time of year when “wishcycling” peaks—those moments when we hope something is recyclable and put it in the yellow bin even when it doesn’t belong there.
Do you know which bin?
To help make the holiday clean-up easier, here’s a quick guide to some of the most common Christmas items and where they go. Some items don’t belong in any bin, but can be dropped off for free at your closest waste transfer station.
Need some more guidance on sorting your waste?
The Waste Info App is your pocket guide to all things waste in the Port Macquarie Hastings Council region. Browse the A-Z of common waste items, check out your weekly bin calendar and reorder your green FOGO bags.
Visit the Waste and Recycling page on the PMHC website for comprehensive information on your bins, items you can drop off for free at our waste transfer stations, battery disposal and more.
Celebrate sustainably
While sorting waste correctly makes a big difference, the most effective way to minimise our impact at Christmas is to create less waste in the first place. Choosing reusable wrapping, planning meals to avoid leftovers, repairing decorations, and giving gifts with a longer life all help reduce what ends up in the bin. Small actions like these not only cut down waste but help keep our festive season cleaner, simpler and more sustainable.
