Make your Life Sustainable

People who rent can make changes to their home to make it more comfortable, save money and reduce their environmental impact. Making small changes around the household not only lessens the impact our lifestyles make on the environment, but also assists us in saving money and being more resourceful with what we have.

The following websites are filled with valuable resources, guides and tips for households looking to conserve energy, reduce costs and waste, and be more resourceful.

Save energy and reduce your bills

Small changes around the home can make a big difference to your energy bills and help reduce environmental impact at the same time.

Simple ways to reduce energy use include:

• turning appliances off at the wall instead of leaving them on standby
• running ceiling fans in reverse mode during winter
• using appliances during off peak times where possible
• closing unused rooms to better control temperature
• sealing gaps around doors and windows with curtains or draft strips.

Did you know energy companies are required to tell you on your bill if they have another plan that could save you money?

It is worth checking your latest bill to see if a better option is available with your current provider.

You may also be able to save money by comparing providers or switching to a plan that includes green energy options. The Australian Government’s free comparison website can help you compare plans and providers.

There are also support schemes available for people experiencing financial hardship or difficulty paying energy bills.

A new Australian Government initiative, the Solar Sharer Offer, is expected to commence from 1 July 2026 and may provide eligible households with up to three hours of free electricity during the middle of the day. Contact your energy retailer to find out more.

Read our full blog for more energy saving tips, support options and useful links – homeinplace.org/solar-sharer-offer-energy-saving-tips

Helpful links:

• energymadeeasy.gov.au
• energy.gov.au
• energysaver.nsw.gov.au
• renew.org.au
• sustainability.vic.gov.au
• WA Government Household Energy Savings Guide

Please note not all households will be eligible for all discounts or support programs. Embedded network account holders may not be eligible for all available supports.

Bulky waste disposal and clean-up services

Bulky waste services vary between local councils. Depending on where you live, your council may offer kerbside clean-ups, booked collections or waste vouchers to help residents dispose of larger household items such as furniture, mattresses and appliances.

If you are unsure which service applies to your property, please contact your property manager for assistance.

Brisbane

Brisbane City Council also provides an annual kerbside collection. You can check scheduled dates for your area using the council calendar.
More information at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Home in Place holds Brisbane City Council tip vouchers in our office. Tenants can request a voucher and either collect it from the office or have it posted.

Broken Hill

Information about waste services and bulky waste disposal in Broken Hill can be found on the council website.
More information at www.brokenhill.nsw.gov.au

Central Coast
Most households can book up to six bulk waste kerbside collections per year, with each booking allowing up to two cubic metres of waste.
Book a collection at 1coast.com.au

Dungog

Dungog Shire Council provides scheduled bulky waste collections for residential properties.
View collection dates at dungog.nsw.gov.au

Cessnock

Cessnock City Council provides waste vouchers that residents can use for waste disposal.
More information cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Dubbo

Dubbo Regional Council provides a bulky rubbish collection service for households.
More information dubbo.nsw.gov.au

Maitland

Each household is entitled to two bulky waste services per financial year. Bookings can be made through the council website.
Bookings at wasteservices.maitland.nsw.gov.au

Note, if your complex has eight or more units, please contact your property manager to arrange the service.

Singleton

Singleton Council provides an annual bulk waste collection for residential properties receiving domestic waste services.
Residents can place larger household items on the kerbside during their scheduled collection period.
Collection dates and details at singleton.nsw.gov.au

Lake Macquarie

Households are entitled to two bulky waste services within a 12-month period. The 12-month entitlement cycle begins from the date of your first booking, either when you schedule a kerbside collection or when a drop-off voucher is issued via email.
More information www.lakemac.com.au

Note, if you live in a multi-occupancy complex, individual dwellings may not be eligible. Check with your property manager or landlord for your complex arrangements.

Logan

Home in Place holds Logan City Council tip vouchers in our office. Tenants can request a voucher and either collect it from the office or have it posted.

Newcastle

Households can request up to two bulky waste services per 12-month period, either as a kerbside collection or a self-haul voucher. Request a service via the online form HERE.
NOTE: If you live in a multi-unit dwelling, a communal kerbside bulk waste collection will be arranged for the entire complex. Please contact your property manager.

Port Stephens

Each household receives two bulky waste collections per financial year.
More information at www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au

NOTE: Multi-unit dwellings of up to 10 units may book individually. For complexes with more than 11 units, a joint collection day must be booked through the property manager.

Taree (MidCoast Council)

Bulky waste collections through MidCoast Council are booked via the council website, with each household entitled to one pickup per financial year.
If the complex has six or more units, the booking must be arranged by Home in Place.
The council website also provides information on accepted items, excluded materials and quantity limits for each pickup.
More information at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au

Muswellbrook

Muswellbrook Shire Council is currently reviewing how bulky waste is managed and is exploring options such as a booking system, voucher system or a combination of both for future collections.
Keep up to date at www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au

Upper Hunter

Upper Hunter Shire Council schedules an annual bulky waste collection.
Collection dates and details at www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
Please note council services and eligibility requirements may change over time. Always check your local council website for the latest information before booking a collection or disposing of items.

Your water savings

We are privileged to have access to clean water, and this is a valuable resource we must save and protect now and into the future.

Saving water will also save you money so it’s a win-win.

Learn practical ways to save water around your home, garden and everyday activities at www.energy.gov.au/households/water-efficiency

You can also compare water efficient products through the Water Rating Scheme at www.waterrating.gov.au

Shop with a conscious

The choices we make when shopping can have a positive impact on both the environment and our household budget.

• Some simple ways to shop more sustainably include:
• taking reusable shopping bags and avoiding single use plastic bags
• choosing reusable alternatives to disposable items where possible
• buying second hand items such as furniture, clothing and household goods
• looking for energy and water efficient products when replacing appliances
• taking a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, cutlery or food container with you
• composting food scraps and garden waste at home
• choosing products with less packaging or packaging that can be recycled.

Learn more:

Sustainability Victoria – Practical tips for reducing waste and shopping sustainably at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au

WWF Australia – Simple swaps to reduce single use plastics wwf.org.au

Australian Government Water Rating Scheme (WELS) – Compare water efficient products at www.waterrating.gov.au

Australian Government Energy Rating – Compare the energy efficiency of appliances at www.energyrating.gov.au