Give the environment—and your wallet—a gift this Christmas

Published on 16 December 2024

Holidays and events can like Christmas often bring special time with friends and family, but it can bring extra costs and a lot of waste

Corangamite Shire Council Waste & Circular Economy Officer, Chandani Sharma has some tips to help residents save money and reduce waste.

DECORATIONS: “Craft, thrift, repurpose, reuse! Learn a new skill to handmake something special, or look at your local op shops first. If buying new, multi-purpose decor can be used for different occasions,” Ms Sharma said.

GIFTING: “Consider buying second-hand or re-gifting, or make a gift. If buying new, try and shop local and look for good quality items that can be reused.”

FOOD: “Minimise, share, keep it local, and store it correctly. Think about the number of people you are cooking for and only buy what is needed. Ask guests to bring their own reusable containers for any leftovers.”

WRAPPING: “Wrap gifts with paper bags, old magazines or fabric like tea towels and scarves. Repurpose glass jars for consumable gifts. Choose paper, dried fruit, flowers or greenery for gift decorations.”

More information including craft ideas and other sustainable suggestions can be found at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/sustainabilityguides

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 Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 December and Wednesday 1 January.

Naroghid landfill and Derrinallum and Timboon transfer stations will also close from midday on Friday 20 December.

Because of the public holidays, the usual Wednesday Thursday and Friday kerbside collections will be made a day later.

“Consider what waste you are producing and then identify what can be reduced, recycled, composted or reused,” Ms Sharma said.

“Check out our A-Z Guide at corangamite.vic.gov.au/Kerbside to find out where to dispose of what, and any other waste info you might need. You can watch the video by our friends at Hampden P-12 school saying what can go in each bin.”

Kerbside collection dates.

Camperdown (south of the Princes Highway): Thursday 26 December and Thursday 2 January

Camperdown (north of the Princes Highway): Friday 27 December and Friday 3 January

Cobden: Friday 27 December and Friday 3 January

Terang, Noorat and Glenormiston: Saturday 28 December and Saturday 4 January