Discarded packaging, food waste, empty bottles and cans - it’s a time of year when people generate more rubbish than usual, but it’s also a time when they can commit to being greener.

That’s the message from Councillor Richard Thake, Herts County Council’s cabinet member for waste, whose team will be on the receiving end of the great Christmas clear-out.

He says we can all make life easier for ourselves by using the kerbside recycling collections operated by district and borough councils across the county to the full.

Festive waste like drinks bottles, cans and small bits of cardboard packaging can all be disposed of at the kerbside and real Christmas trees can be recycled in some borough and district councils. Left-over food can be reused in tasty recipes and food scraps can be used for compost.

Councillor Thake said: “A huge amount of waste is produced over the Christmas period and we want people in Hertfordshire to think about recycling and reusing more.

“While we particularly want people to recycle during the Christmas period, it’s equally important that they carry it on throughout the year. We urge people to make a new year’s resolution to produce less waste and recycle more.”

If you are using one of the county council’s household waste and recycling centres the message is to make sure you pre-sort and wash your recyclables and squash metal cans and bottles before you go to help reduce contamination.

Tips from County Hall to reduce waste this Christmas include:

Possible recipes for leftovers include turkey and ham pie and Christmas pudding ice-cream.

Use up fruit by making healthy smoothies and freezing them. Don’t use paper napkins or plastic cutlery.

Buy fruit and vegetables loose rather than in packaging.

Make your own gift wrap by using old newspapers and magazines.

Recycle your Christmas cards by making them into gift labels.

Over the festive period household waste recycling centres will be closed on their normal closure days, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. For opening times of your nearest dump click here: http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/envplan/waste/wasteaware/hwrc1/hwrc2015/

Check your with your local district and borough website for details of local collections. http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/envplan/waste/wasteaware/yrservices/wastecollect/