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. 

To support our residents in the purchase of more sustainable items, Council will provide a 50% rebate off the purchase price of:

• Reusable nappies (up to $150 per household) 
• Reusable period products (up to $100 per household)
• Reusable continence management products (up to $100 per household) 

Rebate Terms and Conditions

• Applicant must be a current resident of Ballina Shire Council, proof of residence is required. This rebate does not apply to purchases by commercial businesses.
• Rebate of up to 50% of the purchase price with proof of purchase dated from 1 July 2024, excluding any postage costs for eligible products.
  • Proof of purchase (receipt, email, screen capture or similar) showing:
  • Date of purchase (must be since 1 July 2024)
  • Cost and details of items purchased
• Maximum rebate per household is $150 for nappies and $100 for period or continence management products. Households can claim all three rebate categories but must fill out a separate application form for each category. You can attach multiple receipts for each category to reach the maximum refund amount.
• This is a trial program eligible for items purchased between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. There is a limited budget for this program. If the budget limit is reached before the end of the trial, no further rebates will be approved.
• The rebate only covers the purchase of the products, not postage, delivery or cleaning.

• Ballina Shire Council reserves the right to reject any application.

Eligible products

• Reusable nappies and associated accessories including cloth and swim nappies, toddler night training pants, reusable inner liner for nappies, reusable wipes, wet bags, reusable nursing breast pads
• Reusable sanitary products including leakproof underwear, reusable sanitary pads, sanitary cups /discs and wet bags
• Reusable continence products include washable incontinence underwear, reusable pads and washable bed protection.

How to apply

• Complete the online rebate application form(s), remember to upload your receipt(s) and attach proof of residency.
• Your application will be assessed and if approved, you will receive a direct transfer into your nominated bank account of 50% of the purchase price within 21 days of receipt of completed application.

Apply Here for Reusable Product Rebate

Why use reusable nappies?

• Reusable nappies are free of plastic, toxins and chemicals, making them 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:

• Find helpful videos, tips, guides, and a Facebook community: Clean Cloth Nappies® website 
• For more how to’s and helpful guides: Cloth Nappy Info website

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:

• Sustainable Menstrual Products - act.gov.au (pdf)
• Choice website - Period underwear – do they work and which brand is best? 

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.