Supporting Sustainable Choices Scheme 2023

REBATE AVAILABLE NOW!

Reusable items not only prevent pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and divert large amounts of waste from landfill, they save individuals and families a lot of money.

Over 5.3 tonnes of single-use items were diverted from landfill through the 2020 and 2021 Supporting Sustainable Choices Scheme, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to Council’s goal to divert 70% of waste from landfill in 2021.

Following the success of Penrith City Council’s 2020 - 2021 Supporting Sustainable Choices Scheme, wherein around 400 households received rebates for their purchase of environmentally conscious and sustainable nappies and sanitary items, Council is proud to announce that we are reopening the scheme to residents for sustainable purchases made from 1 January 2023 onwards. We have extended the program to include rechargeable household batteries meaning that even more households can benefit from making the switch to sustainable items.

This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority initiative funded from the waste levy, in partnership with Penrith City Council.

Click here to apply, or continue reading to learn more about the rebates available under the 2023 Supporting Sustainable Choices Scheme.

Reusable nappy and sanitary item rebate 2023

Did you know that before a child is properly toilet trained, it is estimated that 5,000 to 6,000 nappies will be used and disposed of during that timeframe? If we average the cost of a single disposable nappy at 50c, a family spends approximately $3,000 on nappies alone.

When disposable nappies end up in landfill, it takes up to 300 years for them to break down.

It’s estimated an average of 150kg of sanitary items are sent to landfill during the lifetime of one person who uses such products. Using reusable nappies and sanitary items only requires a thorough wash with detergent and they’re ready to be used again.

The Continence Foundation of Australia also identifies that 1 in 4 people suffer from incontinence. There are a wide variety of products available to assist in managing incontinence eligible within this rebate program.

If you are considering switching to sustainable cloth nappies or reusable sanitary items but are unsure where to start, check out the list of helpful resources at the bottom of this webpage.

Penrith City Council will provide a 50% rebate (up to $100 per household) for reusable nappies and sanitary products purchased after 1 January 2023.

Households may apply for a rebate for each of the following categories:

1. Reusable cloth nappies and accessories (50% of the purchase price, up to $100 per household)

• Reusable cloth and swim nappies
• Reusable nappy liners
• Reusable wipes
• Pilchers
• Wet bags
• Reusable nursing pads

2. Reusable sanitary products (50% of the purchase price, up to $100 per household)

• Reusable sanitary pads
• Menstrual cups
• Leakproof underwear and swimwear
• Adult washable bed pads
• Wet bags

Rechargeable battery items rebate 2023

Batteries are a large problem in the waste stream. They can't be recycled in household recycling bins and are hazardous if not disposed of correctly. Using rechargeable household batteries can save you money, as they can be reused over and over, and reduces the amount of single-use battery waste produced from households.

Penrith City Council will provide a 50% rebate (up to $50 per household) for rechargeable household batteries and charges purchased after 1 January 2023.

Eligible items include:

• Rechargeable household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D)
• Charging systems for the batteries listed above.

The total rebate amount for these items is up to $50 (50% of the purchase price) per household.

What is the rebate?

Rebates under this scheme will cover 50% of the purchase price for each category per household. Households may claim a maximum of one rebate per category with proof of purchase and residence required.

There is a limited budget for this program. No further rebates will be approved once the budget limit has been reached.

For your convenience, multiple receipts can be uploaded per application.

How do I apply for a rebate?

Please read the terms and conditions to ensure your purchase is eligible for the rebate.

Successful applications will receive their rebate within 5 –10 business days of approval, as per the program’s terms and conditions.

Click here to complete your application. Please remember to upload your purchase receipts and proof of residence when prompted.

Other Resources 

While the reusable nappy and sanitary rebate now re-opened, it is a great time to consider transitioning from disposable products to reusable alternatives. Check out our list of resources to learn more about the benefits of using cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products.

Clean Cloth Nappies — If you want to get started on your cloth nappy journey, this website has great resources and tips for you.

Sustainability Victoria – A resource that includes some facts about the impact of disposables and suggestions for transitioning to cloth.

Nappy Lane — Find out all you need to know about cloth nappies.

Australian Nappy Association — Familiarise yourself with the benefits of transitioning from disposable to reusable.

How to buy the best disposable and cloth nappies — A great guide comparing disposable and reusable nappies and with tips on how to best transition.

Period underwear review — A great guide on period underpants.

Interested in using cloth nappies and don’t know where to start? Watch cloth nappy expert Alice Henchion answer some frequently asked questions about purchasing and using cloth nappies.