Looking to choose environmentally friendly products and save money? Households can apply for a rebate on each of the four categories below. Each household is eligible for one rebate per category, per year.
About the Zero Waste Rebate program
The Zero Waste Rebate program is an action item in our Rethinking Waste Plan 2021-2030. It's one of several items that will support our goal of become a low waste city, and position us as leaders in clean, sustainable living.
As part of the rebate program, you can claim a rebate on the purchase price of reusable nappies, reusable sanitary products, shopping carts, composting bins and composting tools.
Investing in reusable items at home is a great way to reduce waste and save on costs in the long term. For example, by choosing reusable nappies, parents can save up to $2,000 per child.
However, the upfront costs of purchasing reusable nappies or sanitary items can be costly. We’d like to support you by encouraging the use of reusable items at home, while saving you money through the rebate.
We have expanded the program to include shopping carts. We recognise the need for some residents to be able to have a cart to transport their goods home and hope this initiative will reduce the use of supermarket trolleys and eliminate trolley dumping across the municipality.
Residents can claim a rebate for reusable nappies, reusable sanitary products, shopping carts, compost bins or composting tools, up to the limits as listed below.
Reusable nappy items
Items include: reusable nappies, reusable inserts, reusable swim nappies, reusable baby wipes, wet bags for reusable nappies, reusable nursing pads.
Rebate: 50% of your purchase price up to $200 spent (maximum rebate $100)
Reusable sanitary items
Items include: reusable sanitary pads, leak proof underwear, reusable sanitary cups, wet bags for sanitary items.
Rebate: 50% of your purchase price up to $200 spent (maximum rebate $100).
Composting tools
Items include: compost bins, worm farms, bokashi bins, grains and liquid, and compost aerator, worms and kitchen caddy.
Rebate: 50% of your purchase price up to $200 spent (maximum rebate $100).
Shopping carts
Items include: collapsible shopping carts made from sustainable materials such as metal, aluminium and cloth with minimal plastic parts.
Please consider supporting a local business or purchasing within Australia to lower emissions with logistics.
Rebate: 50% of your purchase price up to $200 spent (maximum rebate $100).
You can't claim a rebate for:
- Postage and other fees
- Commercial equipment
- Items that are not been listed above
Applications for the Zero Waste Rebate are submitted online. Emails or paper forms sent to Council offices via mail will not be considered.
Apply for a Zero Waste Rebate
To apply online you will need an email address.
If you can't access the internet or need a printed form, please contact us.
(DOCX, 1MB)Zero Waste Rebate Guidelines 2024(DOCX, 1MB)
Resource Recovery Unit
Phone: (03) 9217 2170
Email: resource.recovery@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
- All households in the City of Whittlesea are eligible for one rebate from each of the categories listed on this page. Each household is eligible for one rebate from each category per year.
- You must live in the City of Whittlesea and any products purchased must be used at this address. Applicants will be required to provide proof of residency.
- Shopping carts are to be made from sustainable material such as metal, aluminium and cloth with minimal plastic parts.
- Rebates are only for:
- the products listed on this page
- postage and other fees are not included
- 50% of the cost of items, up to a maximum rebate of $100 per category.
- All rebates will be processed through direct bank transfer.
- You must apply for a rebate within 60 days of making your purchase. The receipt must be legible and in Australian dollars.
- For online orders, proof of how much you spent is required. If your invoice does not show this, you should provide other evidence of the cost (for example, a screenshot from the website).
- This program will run until funds are exhausted.