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With 3 million tonnes of waste being dumped in the UK during the festive season, it’s time to get green this Christmas. By starting your preparations earlier and being creative you can avoid stress, save money and make less wasteful choices. By choosing local, independent, ethical gifts and fairly traded and organic foods your money supports greener alternatives to the conventional Christmas.

Make your own decorations from recycled materials - paper, card or newspaper.

Click here to see some examples of environmentally friendly cards and wrapping paper.

Reuse last year’s wrapping paper, magazine pages or pictures to wrap gifts. Choose recycled wrapping paper such as Natural Collection or make your own.

Recycle your used cards in green wheelybins. Some shops such as Boots provide facilities to recycle them.

Stocking fillers - small gifts can be wrapped with scraps of last year’s wrapping paper.

Charity gifts - instead of giving to the person who has everything, give to someone who really needs it. Why not ‘plant an allotment’ with Oxfam? Many charities such as Save the Children, Unicef and Christian Aid offer these schemes.

Fair trade gifts & ethical gifts can be bought through online shops such as Traidcraft.

Promises and treats. Write a special promise or IOU on a nice card promising to do something your recipient will enjoy: a day out, babysitting, offer to cook a meal; or give concert, theatre or film tickets. It saves on wrapping paper and is something to look forward to in the New Year.

Get planting - take cuttings from your favourite houseplants, grow in water till the roots sprout, pot up and pass on. Kids will enjoy making these and watching them grow. Instead of buying expensive planters, make your own with spring bulbs. Peat free compost is more environmentally friendly.

Get recording - make a personalised CD of you reading favourite stories or poems, a relaxation CD, or mix tape of favourite songs.

Make a photo album or calendar.

Make a wish list. Many presents each year are thrown away or clutter up the home because the gift is unwanted. Remember how you used to tell Santa exactly what you wanted? Many online stores such as Amazon have wish lists of products to let friends and family know what you’d really like. You don’t have to tie in with a retailer, make your own list and mail it round. Make sure people know who’s buying what so you don’t end up with duplicates.

Get 'Save Cash and Save the Planet' by Friends of the Earth.

Give away unwanted gifts to charity shops, to someone who might like them or through Freecycle . Organise a swapping party or donate to local charities to use as raffle prizes.

Low energy tree lights - turn them off overnight and when you’re out to save energy and avoid fire risk.

Recycle your tree with Brent by using the Organic Waste Collection. Simply chop up your tree and bin it or bag it, then put it out on your regular collection day. For more information call StreetCare on 020 8937 5050.

Re-use your tree next year by planting it out or keeping it in a pot in the garden.

Forget the tree and decorate a favourite large houseplant instead!

Buy local and organic food where possible. Shop at farmers' markets. Not only do you get higher quality produce but you also support the local economy and environment.

Christmas gift foods often have much unnecessary packaging that can’t be recycled. Buy the ordinary product and gift wrap it yourself.

Buy a smaller bird than you would normally. Fed up of turkey leftovers? A smaller one will take less time to cook and there’ll be less wasted. Alternatively freeze portions of leftovers when cold. See www.lovefoodhatewaste.com