Apply for the home composting rebate

Food waste makes up around 40% of the contents of our rubbish bins. Composting at home helps to reduce our food waste and creates valuable soil additives that can be used in vegetable and ornamental gardens.

Yarra Ranges Council is offering a rebate of up to $40 to residents who would like to purchase eligible items for home composting and start composting their food waste at home.

Eligible items include:  

  • Compost bin
  • 'Compost Mate' turning tool 
  • Compost/Worm Farm blanket
  • Worm Farm
  • Composting Worms
  • Bokashi Bin

Please note, compost collection containers such as kitchen caddies are not eligible for a rebate. 

Please note: only ONE compost rebate is available per household in total.

Terms & conditions

  • Eligible items must be purchased new and receipts for the rebate must be dated between 30 April, 2022 and 30 June, 2023.
  • The rebate is a one-off payment of $40 or your total purchase price for eligible items, whichever is lesser. Only one rebate is available per household.
  • Payments are made by EFT. Payments may take up to four weeks to be processed from the date application is received by council.
  • Your application must be accompanied by a tax invoice receipt (photograph or photocopy) clearly showing the item description, purchase date, price and place of purchase.
  • The rebate is only available to residents of Yarra Ranges Shire and must be installed for use at the applicant’s place of residence within the shire.
  • Yarra Ranges Shire reserves the right to cancel the rebate should the scheme reach its maximum budget allocation.

Compost bin, worm farm or bokashi bin - which should I choose?

Before choosing which system you will buy, consider which will suit your home and the materials that you have to compost.

Compost bins suit homes that have larger backyards with a mix of food waste and garden clippings that can be mixed with dry materials such as fallen (deciduous) leaves, scrunched newspaper or other carbon-rich materials. The compost bin will produce a soil conditioner that is highly beneficial to improve soil structure in the vegetable garden. For more information on composting, see the Beginners Guide to Composting

Worm Farms suit homes that have food waste but do not have easy access to dry materials. The worm farm will need to be kept in a sheltered, cool location. Worms require consistent feeding and care to ensure the composting worms are healthy. Worm Farms create a high-nitrogen fertiliser (in solid and liquid form) that can be added to the vegetable garden in smaller amounts. For more information on worm farming, see the Beginners Guide to Worm Farming

Bokashi Bins are food waste fermenting units that can be kept in a cupboard or under a bench. They are airtight and therefore should not smell. They reduce food waste to a very small amount, with regular addition of a bran-like product that enhances the fermentation process. Once the fermentation process has reduced the volume of food waste considerably, the waste product can be buried in a garden bed or added to a friend's compost bin. The unit also produces a small amount of liquid fertiliser that can be diluted and used on potted or garden plants. For more information on the use of Bokashi Bins, go to https://www.bokashi.com.au/

Want to learn more?

 Join the Gardens for Harvest program for a free vegetable gardening info kit, monthly gardening updates and information on upcoming workshop where you can learn more on growing your own fresh and healthy food.

 

Online

Step 1.Check your eligibility

Eligible items for the rebate include:

  • Compost bins
  • Compost turner/compost mate tool
  • Worm Farms and composting worms
  • Bokashi Buckets (or similar food waste fermentation buckets)

The compost rebate is available to residents of the Yarra Ranges municipality, including home owners and renters.

Step 2.Complete the application

'Attach copies of your proof of residence in Yarra Ranges (eg. copy of rates notice, drivers licence or utility bill showing applicant’s name and residential address).

Step 3.Upload proof of residence

Attach copies of your proof of residence in Yarra Ranges (eg. copy of rates notice, drivers licence or utility bill showing applicant’s name and residential address), and proof of your purchase (eg. tax receipt showing store name, date of purchase, item and purchase price)

Upload your receipt 

Attach proof of your purchase. This MUST be a tax receipt stating:
* The name of the store where you purchased your item
* The ABN of the store
* Date of purchase within the eligibility criteria for this year's rebates (see Terms and Conditions)
* Item purchased

* Purchase price 

'Order Confirmation' forms will not be accepted as proof of purchase. 

Apply for home compost rebate now

 

In person

Step 1.Check your eligibility

Eligible items for the rebate include:

  • Compost bins
  • Compost turner/compost mate tool
  • Worm Farms and composting worms
  • Bokashi Buckets (or similar food waste fermentation buckets)

The compost rebate is available to residents of the Yarra Ranges municipality, including home owners and renters.

Step 2.Visit a community link 

Visit our links in Lilydale, Monbulk, Upwey, Yarra Junction and Healesville.

Step 3.Complete the application form

Complete the application form and provide your proof of purchase and proof of residence.

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