Make sure your Christmas is green, as well as red. Source: Supplied

The Australian Retail Association estimates we will spend $45 billion BEFORE Christmas Day.

We buy and consume so much at this time of year. And we throw out and waste loads too. So how can you reduce your environmental footprint and still have a good time this silly season?

With the help of Planet Ark, we’ve come up with five ways to feel good about yourself (and the environment) this Christmas.

1. Don’t over-cater

Mmmmm ham. Source: Supplied

Australians throw away about $1000 worth of groceries a year, which is about four shopping trolleys.

“None of us want to look cheap so we tend to over-cater at Christmas, rather than just have enough food. Nobody wants to be the one that puts on the Christmas dinner and not have enough turkey,” Planet Ark’s Brad Gray said.

“We tend to buy a lot of the big centrepiece foods, like ham and turkey, and that’s fine because they’re reusable. You can eat Christmas ham for weeks after December 25.

“But you might put out six packets of chips before lunch. Instead, why not put out two packets of chips and if those two get consumed put out another one. The same goes for other nibbles like nuts and lollies and cheese.”

2. Give a gift that won’t be wasted

Who doesn’t love adorable baby goats? Source: Supplied

Unwanted gifts just get chucked out. Ask your loved ones for a list of options and you can pick something from that list, so it’s still a surprise.

“We encourage people to ask what somebody wants, maybe go shopping with them as part of the present. Take them out for lunch and buy them something you know they’re going to use,” says Mr Gray.

Giving an experience — such as a nice dinner out, movie tickets, or a gift of labour (think babysitting or cooking) — is another way to ensure your gift won’t end up in the bin.

Doing Kris Kringle with your family and friends takes the pressure off and means you only need to buy one great gift, instead of lots of little things that might go to waste.

Feel-good gifts and fair trade items or goats, chickens and wells for people in the developing world are great ideas for the person that (literally) has everything.

3. Recycle wrapping and packaging properly

Think how much wrapping you get through at Christmas. Source: Supplied

We go through metres and metres of wrapping paper at Christmas time. When you’re buying paper, choose paper that can be reused or recycled or that has already been recycled itself.

“Yes, sticky tape can go in the recycling. Plastic and foil cannot,” Mr Gray said.

Recycle your used wrapping or give it another life by making your own gift tags with it.

Or, you can skip wrapping altogether. Give each member of your family a Santa sack (a pillowcase is a good substitute) and place the gifts inside.

And do you have a Christmas tree you need to get rid of? It will be too big for your green garbage bin, so check if your local council will take it away for you.

4. Responsibly dispose of electronic waste

Are you replacing your broken iPhone this Christmas? Dispose of your old one responsibly. Source: Supplied

By 2016, the world is expected to have generated 93.5 million tonnes of electronic waste, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets. There are more active SIM cards — 7.2 billion, to be precise — than people in the world. Right now, 70 to 80 per cent of all that goes straight to landfill.

“If you’re going to give a piece of technology, make sure the old one is recycled,” Mr Gray said.

You can drop off your old mobile phone at Officeworks, Australia Post stores or via Mobile Muster. Tablets, computers and televisions can be recycled though programs such as TechCollect or through your local council.

To find a location that recycles electronic goods near your place, visit recyclingnearyou.com.au.

5. Reduce your food waste

Make your own compost heap to dispose of fruit and vegetable scraps. Source: Supplied

When food goes into landfill it breaks down without oxygen to produce methane — a greenhouse gas 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Using a worm farm, Bokashi Bucket, Urban Composter or compost will all reduce waste going to landfill as well as providing natural fertiliser for your garden. You can also check if your local council has a food waste recycling program.

Do you have any tips to reduce waste this Christmas? Tweet us @newcomauhq