The company was fined $11,000 for the incorrect storage of drill muds and a further $14,000 for the incorrect use of shredder floc as a cover material. Cleanaway was also ordered to pay court costs of $716.40.
The conviction followed an investigation in August 2019 by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) into waste storage and management practices at Cleanaway’s Dardanup landfill.
As part of its sentencing submissions, the department argued that as an experienced waste management company, Cleanaway should have been aware of its legal responsibilities under its licence.
“This sentence sends an important message to waste management businesses that breaches of Western Australia’s environmental laws will not be tolerated,” Stuart Cowie, DWER Executive Director for Compliance and Enforcement said.
“It is also an important reminder to licensees to ensure that they comply with the requirements of their environmental licences.”
In sentencing, the Magistrate reduced the sentence by 25 per cent following the company’s early guilty plea and its cooperation during the investigation.
