Home Compost Subsidies and Rebates

Subsidy overview

City of Cockburn residents are eligible for subsidies on worm farms, compost bins and bokashi bins. Different home waste compost systems are suitable for different types of households and waste needs. 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible you must be a City of Cockburn resident.

Rebate/subsidy amount and details

The following rebate/subsidy is provided:

• Bokashi bin: Offered to you for $50 (subsidised rate)
• EnsoPet pet waste composter: Offered to you for $30 (subsidised rate)
• Compost bin: $50 rebate
• Worm farm: $95 (subsidised rate)
• Kitchen-top food scraps caddy: Free - (Reminder that currently in the City of Cockburn, food scraps only either go in a home compost/worm farm system, or the General Waste (red lid) kerbside bin)

Not sure which system suits you best? The following will help you to decide:

Factors to consider	Bokashi bin	EnsoPet pet waste composter	Compost bin	Worm farm
Dwelling suitability	House, apartment, office, no garden	Houses, schools, anywhere with gardens	Houses, schools,  anywhere with gardens	House, apartment, office, no garden
Location	Anywhere, indoor or outdoor	Outside	Ideally outside, away from  house in a sunny area	Indoor or out, ideally outside and in shade
Efficiency	Efficient break down into liquid, though dry scraps take longer and need to be buried in soil	In-ground composter efficiently breaks down pet waste using EnsoPet Starter	Variable. Dependent on carbon/ nitrate ratio and aeration. Fast process if well maintained	Dependent on worms but generally fast in process
Odour levels	No odour if bin is kept sealed in air-tight container	EnsoPet starter eliminates odour	Dependant on carbon/nitrate ratios. Nil if well maintained	No odour if worm farm is well maintained and scraps are being digested
Maintenance costs	Around $13 per bokashi mix bag	Around $14 per EnsoPet starter mix bag	No cost once set up	No cost once set up
Fertiliser	Liquid	Solid	Solid	Liquid and solid
Waste accepted	Veggie scraps, citrus and onion, meat scraps and bones, dairy, coffee grounds and tea, egg shells, garden waste, small amounts of paper and cardboard. Does not accept pet poo.	Pet poo only.	Veggie scraps, citrus and onion, dairy, coffee grounds and tea, egg shells, garden waste, poo from vegetarian pets, small amounts of paper and cardboard. ​Does not accept meat scraps and bones.	Veggie scraps, small amounts of citrus and onion, coffee grounds and tea, egg shells, garden waste, small amounts of paper and cardboard (shredded), pet poo (but best in separate worm farm for meat eating pets). ​Does not accept meat scraps and bones, or dairy.

How to collect/redeem

Worm farm

The worm farm subsidy includes a 4-tiered unit, 20kg of castings, 1kg of worms, an instruction manual and tailored workshop. 

Please note:

• You are required to attend a workshop and learn how to set-up and use worm farm units.
• Registration to the workshop is essential. View upcoming workshops (if no workshops are listed, please contact us).
• The workshops are run in partnership with The Worm Shed, therefore only Worm Shed worm farms are included in this subsidy.
• Bring $95 cash for purchase at workshop. Payment options are explained during the workshop. 

Bokashi bin

Collect and pay by cash, credit card or cheque from the City’s Administration building to purchase your 20L Bokashi Bin for $50. This includes a bag of Bokashi Dust (lasts an average household 3-4 weeks) and instructions.

Please note: You must provide proof of residency and there is maximum of two bins per household.

EnsoPet Pet waste composter

Collect and pay by cash, credit card or cheque from the City's Administration building to purchase your EnsoPet for $30.

Please note: You must provide proof of residency and there is maximum of two bins per household.

Kitchen-top food scraps caddy

Compost caddies are suitable for collecting food scraps in the kitchen and transferring them straight into a worm farm or compost bin. The caddies are free and are available from the City’s Administration Building. Maximum one caddy per household.
Reminder that currently in the City of Cockburn, food scraps only either go in a home compost/worm farm system, or the General Waste (red lid) kerbside bin.

Compost bin

Buy a compost bin of your choice and receive a $50 rebate upon proof of purchase and residence. Please complete the compost bin rebate online application form below. Please note your rebate will be processed within 8 weeks. Maximum one bin per household.

Compost Bin Rebate Application Form

More information and contact

Please contact the City’s Waste Education Team for more information on 08 9411 3444 or email [email protected]