Local councils across Australia are successfully trialling and rolling out cloth nappy and reusable sanitary product rebates. These rebates assist more members of the community in experiencing the environmental and health benefits of cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products.

I am starting this petition to show Bega Valley Shire Council that residents in the community would like access to a rebate for cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products.

What is a cloth nappy and reusable sanitary product rebate?

A household can receive up to 50% of the purchase back on new and secondhand items with proof of receipt at a limit of $150. These reusable items can include:

Cloth nappies (all ages)
Swim nappies
Nappy liners
Cloth wipes
Wet bags
Nursing breast pads
Cloth menstrual and incontinence pads
Menstrual cups
Period underwear
Period wet bags

 

Members of the community often want to use these products but the initial financial outlay prevents them from doing so. Rebates both help ease costs and reduce social stigmas around these items.

Why cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products are worth considering:

They reduce waste to landfill (children use an average of 6 000 to 7 000 nappies from birth until toilet independence. Meanwhile, people use 12 000 pads and tampons throughout their life). Nappies and sanitary items make up an average of 4% of household waste- behind only food waste (which FOGO deals with here in the Bega Valley)

Nappies take approximately 500 years to break down in landfill. Biodegradable options do not properly biodegrade when placed in landfill

Up to $3 000 from birth to toilet independence can be saved on nappies and up to $100 a year on menstrual items

Some reusable menstrual items will last for up to 10 years

Items (especially nappies) are often able to be used for multiple children and sold on, further reducing the environmental impact

Less plastic (the average menstrual pad can contain up to 5 plastic bags within the pad itself. That’s not including the packaging!)

Less harmful chemicals being exposed to children and mothers  

No risk of running out and less need to visit the shops

 

*Only residents of the Bega Valley are encouraged to sign this petition.