City of Bunbury tries to reduce landfill by offering $50 rebates for reusable sanitary products 

The City of Bunbury is doing its part to reduce the amount of landfill created in the region by encouraging the switch to reusable sanitary products.

The City announced last month that it would be offering a rebate of up to $50 for residents for reusable sanitary pads, sanitary cups, leak-proof underwear and wet bags.

In a statement, the City said Clean Up Australia estimated there were “six million menstruators nationwide, using 16 to 22 sanitary items per period”.

“Over 30-40 years mean one person will use up to 15,000 pads and tampons — nearly all of which ends up in landfill,” the City said.

“About 90 per cent of conventional pads use plastic adhesive strips and packaging which in landfill would take 500 years to decompose, if ever.

“Reusable sanitary products are the ideal way to reduce waste and save money.

“They may cost a little more up-front, but in the long term, they can help you save money.

“This rebate is an incentive to help reduce the upfront costs of reusable options and have the opportunity to try reusable products.

“The rebate is funded by the Better Bins FOGO Plus grant from the Waste Authority.”

The announcement comes after WA became the last State in Australia to offer school students free sanitary pads and tampons, starting next year.

The State Government confirmed on Sunday plans to follow the rest of the country and put free period products in secondary public schools to combat period poverty in which there is a lack of affordability of sanitary products.

Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk said no student should miss school because of a lack of access to period products.

“In recent years there has been growing recognition that period products are a basic health necessity, and the simple act of making them more accessible removes barriers to education,” she said.

“By delivering on this important initiative we are helping to end the stigma surrounding periods and building on our commitment to advance gender equality in WA.

“This will help improve education outcomes for women and girls.”