Save Water and Money with City Rebates

The City of Melbourne offers rebates to help residents conserve water, lower utility bills, and protect the environment. Rain Barrel Rebate Residential water customers who live within Melbourne city limits can receive a $50 rebate for installing a new rain barrel with a capacity of at least 40 gallons. Rain barrels can collect about 1,300 gallons of water during the summer, reducing outdoor water use while helping decrease stormwater runoff to the Indian River Lagoon. Toilet Rebate Residential customers who receive their water bill directly from the City can receive a $50 rebate for replacing a toilet installed before 1994 with a WaterSense® certified high-efficiency toilet (1.28 gallons per flush or less). A family of four can save up to 25,000 gallons of water each year by upgrading an older toilet.

Composter Rebate Residents living within Melbourne city limits are eligible for a rebate of up to $50 when purchasing and installing a composter with a minimum capacity of 30 gallons. Composting enriches soil, helps retain moisture, reduces the need for irrigation and fertilizers, protects the Indian River Lagoon from nutrient pollution, and keeps organic waste out of landfills. Take advantage of these rebates to save water, reduce waste, and make a positive impact on our community and environment. How to apply Rebate application packets are available by calling the Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division at (321) 608-5080 or emailing rebates@mlbfl.org. Rebates will be available until budgeted rebate funds are depleted or until September 30, 2027, whichever comes first.

Join Us for Indian River Lagoon Fest

This Saturday

The City of Melbourne, the City of West Melbourne, the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department and the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program invite you to join us for the Indian River Lagoon Fest, a family fun-filled day focused on celebrating the importance of the Indian River Lagoon and the world around us. The event will take place on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Front Street Park, 2210 Front Street, Melbourne. Admission is free.

Environmental exhibitors will be present to showcase a variety of restoration projects, educational efforts, available citizen-science projects and volunteer activities. Food trucks, live music by Miranda Realino, arts and crafts vendors, a bounce house, face painting, games and other activities for children will also be available. A Hook Kids on Fishing clinic will take place from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for kids 5-15 years old. Advance registration is required. For more information, go to the Anglers for Conservation website.

An eco-themed Halloween costume contest for all ages will take place at 11:00 a.m. Show off your creativity by dressing in a costume made from trash, recycled materials or inspired by nature! The winner in the 8 and under category will receive tickets to Brevard Zoo, while the winner in the 9 and over category will receive tickets to Central Florida Kayaking. Visit the Front Street Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for an engaging morning of environmental presentations featuring local experts and organizations. Learn about sea turtles, the Indian River Lagoon, disappearing shorelines, native fish, plastic pollution and more! For gardeners, a rain barrel workshop will be held at 1:00 p.m. inside the Front Street Civic Center. Participants will learn about rain barrels and take home a free one. You must register to get a free rain barrel. Space is limited. Only one per household. Register for the Rain Barrel Workshop. There will be a raffle at 1:30 p.m. Raffle tickets will be at the City of Melbourne’s welcome booth and at each vendor table. Interactions and questions with the vendor tables will earn you 1 ticket.  You must be present to win a prize.

We’d like to give a big shoutout to Custom Tintz for helping to sponsor the stage this year. Bring the family, explore, learn and celebrate the lagoon!

Free Fix It Event

Recycle Brevard Fix it! is a new event, inspired by the Orange County Fix It! Don't Pitch It community event. The City of Melbourne, Recycle Brevard and Brevard County Solid Waste are partnering to host it in Brevard County this year.

The goal is to promote reuse and recycling by repairing items while offering the opportunity to also recycle them.

Locals are invited to bring their items to the event so they can be mended, adjusted, calibrated, repaired - fixed! That way items can continue to be used and not sent to the landfill.

​Those interested in having something repaired can register the item online starting October 1. To ensure items and fixers are connected, registration is encouraged but not required.  Suggested repair items include eyeglasses, jewelry, small appliances, bikes, skateboards, fishing gear, electronics, clothing and other textiles. Item volume and volunteer expertise may vary so services are subject to change.

When

Saturday, November 14

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where

Front Street Civic Center (2205 Front Street, Melbourne, FL).

Register as a Volunteer Fixer

Are you a tinkerer, amateur or professional fixer willing to help us in this effort? Please fill out this form and submit an application. Someone with Recycle Brevard will review all applications and reach out to you to discuss details.

More information about the event here.

If you have any questions before then, feel free to contact Recycle Brevard at events@RecycleBrevard.org.

Keep Fats, Oils and Grease Out of the Drain This Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches and holiday cooking ramps up, it's a great time to remember one simple habit that helps protect both your home's plumbing and the City's wastewater system: keep fats, oils and grease (FOG) out of the drain.

FOG comes from cooking oils, butter, gravy, meat drippings, salad dressings and other fats. When poured down the sink, these materials cool and harden inside sewer pipes, restricting the flow of wastewater. Over time, the buildup can lead to clogged pipes, sewer backups into homes and businesses, and can even cause manholes to overflow.

Fortunately, preventing FOG problems is easy:

• Wipe pots, pans and dishes with a paper towel before washing.
• Pour cooled cooking oil, grease and pan drippings into a disposable container and throw it in the trash.
• Rinse dishes with cold water before washing, as hot water can melt grease and carry it farther into the sewer system where it eventually hardens.

These simple steps help protect your home's plumbing, reduce the risk of costly sewer backups, and keep the City's wastewater system flowing smoothly throughout the holiday season.

City of Melbourne Public Works & Utilities Department
Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division