Ballina Shire Launches Reusable Products Rebate | Mirage News

Ballina residents can now receive rebates of up to 50% of the purchase price on reusable nappies, period products and continence management items as part of Council’s Reusable Products Rebate.

The rebate aims to assist residents in making realistic, sustainable swaps to reduce the environmental and economic impact of sending disposable items to landfill. Council recognises hygiene products as an essential item, and this rebate allows people to choose quality reusable products, better for their own health and for the environment.

“Disposable nappies, period products and continence management items are the fourth most prevalent waste stream by weight in household landfill bins across Ballina Shire. These items are used every day by people of all ages,” said Justine Rowe, Resource Recovery Education Officer.

Council is allocating $10,000 from the 2024/25 Resource Recovery budget to this scheme, which is not related to rates income. The rebate aims to encourage the purchase of reusable products over disposable and to help ease cost of living pressures for these routine items.

Disposable hygiene products require more land and energy to produce than reusables, then end up in landfill where they can take up to 500 years to decompose.

The rebate could provide a reduction on average of:

• 1,825 disposable nappies per child per year
• 240 disposable period products per user per year
• 1,800 disposable incontinence pads per user per year

While reusable versions of these everyday products often have a higher initial cost than disposables, the long-term savings are usually about 50%. For example, a child will use on average 1825 disposable nappies per year, totalling approximately $3,500, whereas investing in reusable nappies can cost between $500 and $1,500 in total.

As well as the cost saving, if 100 families use the rebate, at least 180,000 nappies will be diverted from landfill each year. The savings can be even greater for period products and continence management items which are used for longer than nappies.

“I switched to using reusable period products two years ago and only wish I switched sooner. The average Australian who menstruates will spend $10,000 in their lifetime on period products like pads and tampons. I’m saving money and I feel better knowing I’m using products made from natural fibres rather than plastics,” Ms Rowe adds.

Ballina Shire residents are eligible to apply for one of each of the following rebates of 50% of the purchase price on:

• Reusable nappies – 50% of the purchase price, up to $150 per household
• Reusable period products – 50% of the purchase price, up to $100 per household
• Reusable continence management products – 50% of the purchase price, up to $100 per household.

To apply for the rebate, you will need to provide proof of purchase receipts along with proof of Ballina Shire residency when you complete the online form available on Council’s website at ballina.nsw.gov.au/reusable-products-rebate

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