How Brimbank City Council is Supporting Waste-Free Celebrations through Community Centres
- Party Kit Network
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
When the Victorian Government in Australia introduced a ban on single-use plastics in February 2023, Brimbank City Council saw it as an opportunity to go one step further.
Inspired by the success of their home energy audit kits, which are loaned out via local public libraries, Brimbank decided to trial a new initiative to help residents host low-waste parties. They now offer free party kit hire available from five neighbourhood community centres across the area.
This model, delivered through a network of neighbourhood houses, is just one of several ways local authorities can help households move away from disposable partyware. Other councils have supported kits hosted by volunteers in their homes (City of Santa Cruz) or integrated into public library services (County Mayo). For Brimbank, the community centre approach made the most sense.
Making Reuse Easy and Accessible
The party kit scheme fits neatly into Brimbank’s broader climate action and waste strategies. At its core, the aim is simple: to make it easier for residents to ditch single-use plates, cups and cutlery and choose reusable options instead. Kits are free to borrow and come neatly packed with everything needed for a celebration - 30 sets of durable plates, cups and cutlery, a tablecloth, reusable bunting, and even a water cooler.
By embedding the kits in trusted, well-used community hubs, the council could ensure they were easy to access while also tapping into existing local networks to spread the word. Staff at each centre are responsible for checking the kits out and back in, using an inventory list. Bookings are managed by the council’s Environment team, and a shared calendar system ensures each centre stays in the loop.
From Idea to Action on Waste
Initially, the council explored whether public libraries could be the right home for the kits, mirroring the model used for their home energy toolkits. But concerns about out-of-hours returns and the condition of borrowed items led them to explore other options. A meeting with the coordinator of Brimbank’s neighbourhood houses proved fruitful, and a six-month trial launched at four locations.
The team sourced high-quality reusables made with recycled materials and started with 20 place settings per kit (later increasing this to 30 based on demand). After a successful pilot, the scheme was expanded to five community centres:
Hunt Club Community and Arts Centre
West Sunshine Community Centre
Keilor Community Hub
Delahey Community Centre
Westvale Community Centre
Spreading the Word, and the Impact
Brimbank promotes the party kits via their website, newsletters, and posters in community spaces. But the most effective method has been good old-fashioned word of mouth. Neighbourhood house staff and local residents sharing their positive experiences have helped the idea gain traction.
Since launch, the kits have been loaned out 28 times, primarily for warm-weather outdoor parties, and are estimated to have replaced around 2,300 single-use items.
Even more encouraging is the ripple effect. Nicole Butler, Waste Education Officer for Brimbank City Council, said:
“The response to our party kits has been great. It’s been encouraging to see some residents start to rethink other aspects of their parties too - choosing reusable decorations or skipping plastic-filled party bags altogether.”
Lessons Learned
Brimbank’s advice for other councils? Start small and choose your locations wisely. Ideally work with teams who are willing to champion the initiative on the ground.
Capturing feedback, especially from early users, is essential. It helps refine both the kit contents and the choice of host locations. In Brimbank’s case, feedback led to increasing the kit size from 20 to 30 place settings - which was similar to the experience of the City of Santa Cruz.
The council also values being part of a broader movement. The Party Kit Network’s map has been an especially useful tool, helping residents discover nearby kits and reinforcing that Brimbank is contributing to a growing, global shift towards reuse.
Looking Ahead - The Future of Community Party Kits
As the cost of living continues to rise, Brimbank expects demand for the kits to grow. “Families are looking for ways to save money, and borrowing instead of buying just makes sense,” Nicole reflected.
Party kits are still a relatively new idea in many communities, but if Brimbank’s experience is anything to go by, they can become a mainstream part of how we celebrate - reducing waste, saving money, and building community along the way.
Inspired to set up a party kit?
