Composter Rebate

Vegetable scraps and egg shells on one side, good rich soil on the other. Person's two hands form a cup to hold some of the soil.

The City of Melbourne is offering a limited composter rebate program on a first-come, first-served basis. One $50 rebate is provided per Melbourne water customer for purchasing and installing a composter that has at least a 30-gallon capacity.

Rebates are available until budgeted rebate funds are depleted or until September 30, 2025, whichever comes first. The number of rebates available each fiscal year depends on that year’s budgeted funding level.

Composter Rebate Eligibility and Requirements

The following conditions must be met in order to receive your rebate:

  1. To be eligible for a rebate, you must reside in the city limits of the City of Melbourne and have a water account for the property where the installation of the qualifying composter has occurred that is in your name and is in good standing. Any applicant with a past due balance of more than 30 days will have the rebate amount applied to their past due utility balance. The program is for residential customers only. Commercial requests are not eligible.
  2. Only one rebate will be provided per account and/or per address with the same resident.
  3. The original sales receipt must be dated between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. All rebates are subject to the availability of funds. Rebates will be processed in the order they are received and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Once funds are depleted, rebates are no longer available for the fiscal year and any unfunded applications will be returned to the applicant.
  4. Customers must purchase and install a composter that holds a minimum of 30 gallons. The composter must be a new, finished composter sold solely for the purpose of creating compost. The customer must complete a rebate application form and mail it to the Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division. The application must also include the customer’s original sales receipt.
  5. The composter must be securely covered and/or screened to restrict access by children, pets, rodents and insects.
  6. Rebate application packets are available by calling the ECO Division at 321-608-5080 or by e-mail to rebates@mlbfl.org
  7. Complete rebate application and supporting documentation must be submitted to:
    City of Melbourne
    ECO Division
    Composter Rebate Program
    2885 Harper Road
    Melbourne, FL 32904
  8. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure proper installation.
  9. Eligible participants will be mailed a check. If the purchase price, not including tax, is less than the rebate amount, the rebate will be for the purchase price amount only. The purchase price does not include installation, accessories or other related items.
  10. By participating in the Melbourne Composter Rebate Program, the customer agrees to an installation verification visit if one is scheduled by the ECO Manager or designee, and may be asked to respond to a follow-up survey conducted by City of Melbourne staff.

Benefits of Composting

This program is being offered as a means to create healthier soil with higher water-holding capacity thus reducing the need for lawn irrigation and fertilizers that can be carried into the stormwater system.

Florida is known for its sandy soil, which drains quickly and holds very little natural organic material. Soil rich in organic material has a sponge-like quality that holds water. Healthy plants in a moist bed rich in organic material need watering less frequently, and compost is an inexpensive, earth-friendly organic soil amendment. It can be mixed into soil used for new plants or placed as a thin layer on bare soil creating a barrier against evaporation and encouraging plant growth. Natural healthy soils will hold and store rainwater decreasing the amount of polluted stormwater that enters the Indian River Lagoon 

 

How to Compost

The following is a basic guide to composting to help you get started. There are many additional helpful resources online, including guides to composting by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) and the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Step 1

 Find a location for a composter (sunny spots are preferred).

Step 2

 Add 2 parts brown for Carbon:

  • Dry leaves
  • Newspaper
  • Paper towels
  • Hay
  • Shredded paper
  • 100% cotton fabric

Step 3

 Add 1 part green for Nitrogen

  • Vegetable trimmings
  • Green leaves
  • Grass clippings
  • Tea Bags
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Weeds

Step 4

 Add air (Tumble or turn every week to increase oxygen.)

Step 5

 Add water (Compost should be moist.)

What to Compost

Carbon Materials (“Browns”)

Person adds leaves to a backyard composter.

"Browns" are items like dry leaves shown in the picture above, as well as newspaper, paper towels, hay, shredded paper, and 100% cotton fabric. (Photo used courtesy of Metro.)

Nitrogen Materials (“Greens”)

Woman adds vegetable scraps to her composter.

"Greens" like these vegetable trimmings should be added. Greens also include green leaves, grass clippings tea bags, coffee grounds, and weeds.

Do Not Include

Do not include the following items in your composter:

  • Meat
  • Dairy
  • Animal manure
  • Diseased plants
  • Oils
  • Plastic

Can I Compost It? 

Not sure about an item? Check the “Can I Compost It?” guide from IFAS.

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