In a clear indication that we’re looking for ways to be kinder to the planet by taking responsibility for the waste we create as individuals, a City of Cockburn rebate for reusable sanitary and incontinence products is proving popular.
More than 40 households have taken advantage of the rebate mainly for reusable sanitary items in a shift towards reusable underwear and liners in favour of disposable sanitary pads and tampons, which end up in landfill.
The rebate is also available for reusable nappies which have grown in popularity in recent years as people return to cloth nappies in favour of costly disposable options.
City of Cockburn Waste Education Coordinator Clare Courtauld said it was a simple process to apply for a rebate of up to $50 on the City’s website via an online form where people upload their receipt and proof of residency in Cockburn.
“It is encouraging to see that many Cockburn residents are conscious of their environmental impact and sanitary waste, shown by the many rebates we’ve been able to offer to people mainly purchasing period underwear,” Ms Courtauld said.
“This not only represents an environmental benefit, it means cutting out the cost of buying sanitary products every month, which adds up to thousands of dollars.
“With the average woman using over 10,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime, cotton products cost less in the long term, last a lot longer and once discarded, take about a year to break down in landfill.
“Like disposable nappies, sanitary and incontinence products take at least 100 years to break down, because they are made of polyethylene and other plastics.
“We want to encourage these environmentally-friendly reusable options because they are kinder on the planet and more cost effective in the long run, while offering benefits such as reduced waste to landfill and less greenhouse gas emissions.”
Find out more about the rebates and how to apply on the City’s
website.