People and businesses across Hertfordshire including Hitchin are being encouraged to think 'green' this Christmas.

Hertfordshire County Council, as part of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership, has launched its sustainable Christmas campaign, encouraging residents to make cleaner, greener choices during the festive season.

The month long campaign, which will largely be driven through social media, will focus around three key themes of sustainability; decorations and Christmas trees, gifts and cards, and food and drink.

Research shows that on average 250 tonnes of Christmas trees are thrown away each year, that's the equivalent of 20 double decker London buses.

Sustainability is a collaborative effort, which is why the county council is committed to working with its district and borough councils, partners, local businesses and residents to tackle the climate emergency together.

Teresa Heritage, deputy leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: "For many of us Christmas will be celebrated a little differently this year.

'We may not get to see our families face to face meaning for some, buying more online. We want to encourage all residents to think more sustainably about the choices often made, subconsciously, that can have negative impacts on our environment.

"We will be sign-posting residents to local sustainable options for their Christmas this year, this includes eco-friendly Christmas decorations, tips on how to recycle your excess food and drink and local Christmas markets you can support.

"As consumers we have individual purchasing power and can consciously choose to make a difference by purchasing sustainable services and products.

"If we all make this step change, the collective environmental impact across the county, can be great."