Reusable Products Rebate
Ballina Shire Council is committed to supporting our residents in making realistic, sustainable swaps to reduce their waste and environmental impact, while saving money. Nappies, period and continence management products are the fourth most common items by weight in our household landfill bins. Using disposable versions of these common items has a huge cost- financial and environmental.
Across 2024/2025 Council ran a trial to provide a rebate to Ballina Shire residents for reusable household products.The trial period for this program has now ended. We will share details when the next round of funding is available.
Why use reusable nappies?
Why use reusable nappies?
- Reusable nappies are free of plastic, toxins and chemicals, making them generally safer for your baby and for the environment compared to disposable ones.
- Australia sends over 2 billion nappies to landfill each year and it can take up to 500 years for each nappy to decompose. Based on a conservative estimate of a baby using 5 nappies per day, one baby would use 1,825 nappies per year. If 100 families take advantage of the rebate, we could divert at least 180,000 nappies from landfill each year.
- On average, a child will use $3,500 worth of disposable nappies, whereas reusable nappies can cost between $500 and $1,500. Reusable nappies can be used for subsequent children, cutting costs even more.
How to use reusable nappies
See these helpful guides and videos for tips on choosing the right nappies for you and learn about making the transition from disposable to reusable:
Why use reusable period products?
Why use reusable period products?
Period products have come a long way, and the wide range of sustainable options available ensures that every person can find a product that works for their body, lifestyle, and income.
Disposable period products (pads, panty liners, tampons) are often made from a combination of cotton, plastics and other synthetic materials, and can take up to 500 years to break down in landfill. It’s estimated that for each period the equivalent of a shopping bag full of plastics, fibres and wrappers is thrown away. Switching to a reusable option can save an average of 240 disposable period products per person per year.
See the guides below for more information on various sustainable period products to help choose the best options for you:
Why use reusable continence management products?
Why use reusable continence management products?
According to The Continence Foundation of Australia, 1 in 4 Aussies experience incontinence. Adult incontinence products already outweigh baby nappies in landfill and could outnumber them 10 to 1 by 2030. All disposable hygiene products produce greenhouse gases in landfill, and the plastic they contain biodegrades into micro-plastics and enters the environment.
It is always recommended to speak to a continence nurse for help choosing the right product. Contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 304 795.
The Continence Foundation of Australia website has excellent information to help choose the right product for you including this helpful video from a Nurse Continence Specialist about the range of continence products available.
Council understands hygiene products are an essential item, which is why we are providing this rebate to help people choose quality products, better for their health and for the environment.