CHRISTMAS might be a time of giving but it is also a time of throwing away - on a mass scale.

More than three million tonnes of rubbish are generated each Christmas - equivalent to 400,000 double decker buses - and the people of Swindon are being urged to think green during the festive period.

Catherine Rice of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is part of a team spearheading a green campaign.

"We want to show the people of Swindon they can still have a fun-filled festive season without adding to Swindon's rubbish problem," she said. "There is a price to pay for all this endless shopping - our environment. With a little bit of thought you can limit the impact your Christmas has on the earth."

Up to 75 per cent of our household waste could be recycled but current figures show that only 11 per cent of domestic waste actually is in England and Wales.

In November, Priory Vale residents in North Swindon were treated to a Christmas recycling workshop, which aimed to raise awareness of the effects Christmas can have on the environment.

The event was well attended and attracted interest from families looking to cut down on the amount of rubbish they bin this Christmas.

Mandie Gray, project support assistant at the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: "We have lots of tips, from alternative presents to ways of cutting back on wrapping paper and cards.

"We throw so much stuff away, only to go and dig up the raw materials on the other side of the world to make the same things all over again."

Swindon Services, which deals with the borough's rubbish, echoes this request.

Andrew Cook, of Swindon Services, said: "Most waste could be easily recycled by using the facilities already in place in Swindon. Remember that recycling your household waste is a 365 days a year activity. Above all, enjoy Christmas and at the same time give the environment the present it wants the most - a green Christmas."

Rubbish collection will happen as usual on New Year's Day, but paper recycling collections will not take place.

How to make life greener all year

1. Compost your kitchen and garden waste - at least 50 per cent of household rubbish can be composted.

2. Stop junk mail - take your name off junk mail lists by sending your name and address to: The Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 22, London W1E 7EZ

3. Carry out a home energy survey - phone your local energy efficiency advice centre free on 0800 512012

4. Buy low energy light bulbs - each bulb could save you more than £50 over a typical lifetime of eight years

5. Check your boot before you travel - an empty boot uses less fuel

6. Make fewer car journeys

7. Buy locally produced food - to reduce the food miles that goods travel

8. Control the toilet flush - one third of all household water is flushed away

For more details, phone Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on 01380 725670.