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Baw Baw Shire expands environmental rebate to encourage reusable products, cut waste and boost community sustainability

Baw Baw Shire Council has expanded its environmental rebate into three categories, helping residents buy reusable products, reduce landfill waste, improve recycling, and support more sustainable households through partial purchase rebates.

By news@gippsland - 3rd August 2026 - Back to News

Baw Baw Shire Council is introducing a Special Consideration Program (SCP) to support members of our community with the new collection schedule for the red general rubbish bin. In July, Council introduced the Food Organics Garden Organics program, and under this new program, residents are now required to place their food scraps in the green lid bin alongside their garden clippings.

Baw Baw Shire expanded environmental rebate helps residents reduce waste, embrace reusable products, recycle better, and make sustainable living more affordable

Supporting eligible households

The introduction of this program also saw a change in frequency for collection of the green FOGO bin to weekly and the red general rubbish bin to fortnightly, and the SCP is here to provide support, following this big change. The eligibility categories for the SCP are for households that create additional waste from the following:

• Medical condition and/or disability
• Two (or more) children under 4 years of age, in nappies
• Large family, experiencing financial hardship

If you fall into one of the above categories, the SCP will provide an additional 120L general rubbish bin for free. Alternatively, you can request an upgrade to a 240L, if you would prefer to have only one red general rubbish bin.

Listening to residents

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Kate Wilson said the Council had listened to community feedback, took it on board and reviewed where it could better support the community to manage this change. The SCP seeks to assist families that would not be able to manage their waste appropriately, in the absence of weekly collections.

"While the FOGO program is here to stay, we understand that for many of our local families, fortnightly collections of the 120L red general rubbish bin doesn’t provide enough capacity, so we’ve introduced a program to help manage this. The FOGO program is a critical program and is mandated by the State Government via its new standardised household waste and recycling system. It seeks to divert more waste away from landfill and create better recycling outcomes across Victoria."

"The amount of waste we currently send to landfill is unsustainable, so we’re trying to strike a balance between moving towards a circular economy and reducing landfill waste, while still providing solutions for our residents with additional waste circumstances," Cr Wilson said.

Reducing landfill waste

According to waste audits undertaken by Baw Baw Shire, more than half of the waste found in Baw Baw’s average red general rubbish bin is made up of:

• Food scraps (39%)
• Garden organics (4%)
• Glass recycling (1%)
• Mixed recycling (9%)

Council undertook audits in September 2023 and in June 2026 and will undertake another one this financial year, in mid-2027. With landfill levies continuing to increase, diverting even 25% of waste away from landfill is estimated to save the community more than $1.15 million each year, helping to keep future waste costs down.

Expanding waste support

Over the past eight years, the Victorian Government's EPA Landfill Levy has increased by almost 170%, from $65.90 to $177.19 per tonne, while the waste charge paid by residents has increased by 51%, which adds significant pressure to Council budgets.

In addition to the SCP, Council wants to remind residents that from July 2026, there is also now free recycling for soft plastics, textiles, and polystyrene at Council’s four transfer stations including Lardner, Erica, Trafalgar and Neerim South.

Council’s Environmental Rebate was also extended earlier this year and named the Reduce, Reuse Recycle Rebate, and now includes reusable sanitary items and incontinence products, as well as reusable nappies and nursing products. More information on this program can be found at Baw Baw Shire bolsters existing environmental rebate. To apply for the SCP, fill out this form and Council will process your request ASAP: Special Consideration Program Application Form.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
  Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation.
• Parma for a Farmer returns to Poowong, bringing free food, laughter, community and mental health support on 17 September 2026
  Parma for a Farmer returns to the Poowong Hotel on September 17, offering local farmers and workers a free meal, comedy, connection and conversations supporting mental health and wellbeing.
• Mirboo North stadium funding still awaited after decade of community campaigning for modern sporting facility
  Mirboo North continues seeking funding for a new stadium after more than a decade of campaigning. Danny O’Brien is urging the Education Minister to support redevelopment.
• Rob Moffatt officially joins Latrobe City Council as Morwell River Ward's newly elected councillor after by-election and oath of office
  Latrobe City Council has welcomed Rob Moffatt as Morwell River Ward's newly elected councillor. He formally commenced after taking his oath, joining the nine-member council for the remainder of its current term.
• Moe Town Hall seeks resident organisation to activate historic venue through regular community arts programs until 30 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council has opened expressions of interest for an organisation to establish an ongoing residency at Moe Town Hall, delivering regular arts, cultural and community activities while keeping the venue accessible.
• The Nationals pledge weekly rubbish collection for Gippsland households to ease costs and improve waste services
  The Nationals have pledged weekly general rubbish collections across Gippsland, promising to review landfill levies and waste charges to reduce costs and ease pressure on families.
• Statement from CEO Tilla Buden - Councillor Ben Lucas to contest Victorian state election
  West Ward Councillor Ben Lucas will contest the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026. He plans to seek leave from Council, with administrative arrangements underway to ensure Council operations and procedures continue during his absence.
• Phillip Island prepares for final MotoGP weekend celebrating three decades of racing, community spirit, entertainment and history
  Phillip Island will host its final MotoGP from October 23-25, celebrating three decades of racing while showcasing community festivities, entertainment and the island’s motorsport legacy.
• Gippsland Water reports progress on major projects, renewable energy and community engagement commitments
  Gippsland Water’s 2026 Community Report highlights progress on major infrastructure projects, achieving 100 per cent renewable energy, emergency support initiatives and increased community engagement through its Sounding Board.