The ads will be a humorous look at the way waste, such as excess food and packaging, increases at Christmas time. 

Regional waste co-ordinator Michael Neville said one of the ideas for the ads was to depict two neighbours competing against each other to see who could fill their bin first.

Hunter Councils, a joint organisation of local governments from across the region, will launch the campaign in mid December as part of its new Hunter Region Waste Avoidance and Resources Recovery Strategy.

It will encourage people to shop locally and avoid buying excess food, packaging, disposable items, wrapping and unwanted gifts.

Mr Neville said education was a key aspect of the program.

“We wanted to try to raise awareness,” he said.

“Small acts can make a difference. 

“In the modern world it is hard to avoid packaging.

“We are encouraging people to support local businesses and purchase locally, but purchase wisely.”

Hunter Councils chairman and the mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, said waste management was critical for the region.

“In the Hunter we produce over 330,000 tonnes of residential waste every year,” he said. 

“Up to 70 per cent of this waste could be recovered and put back into the productive economy.”

With the Hunter’s population forecast to exceed 687,000 by 2022, Cr Blackmore said waste generation would also rapidly increase.

“This could have disastrous consequences for our environment and we will need to work together as a community to address the issue,” he said.

“Councils in the Hunter have shown leadership in waste space for many years.

“As spending and consumption increases over the Christmas season, so too does our waste, with most households putting more in their bins during December and January than any other time of the year.”