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.

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

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.

How To Compost

If you're new to composting, check out our "Composting 101" guide to get started.