With Kiwis generating an estimated 30% more waste during the festive season in New Zealand, Tauranga City Council is urging its residents to think smart before buying festive wrapping paper.

Statistics say Kiwis will go through 1.6 million kilograms of wrapping paper alone – equivalent to 10,000 trees – but there are other options for wrapping those gifts up.

Old maps, newspaper, recycled textiles, magazines, children’s drawings or recycled brown paper bags are great options to use for wrapping gifts instead of conventional giftwrap – especially glossy and metallicised types, which mostly can’t be recycled.

Children will love colouring-in a brown paper bag to wrap up goodies for their grandparents, friends and family.

Reusable gift bags are another a smart option. Sew up some of your own or find New Zealand-made gift bags online. They come in packs of different sizes and shapes to suit most gifts and can be used year after year.

Another trick is making your own Christmas crackers, gifts and cards to prevent purchasing plastic or unrecyclable alternatives. For how to make Christmas crackers, and more smart tips and tricks to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, see: https://newsbeat.tauranga.govt.nz