THE City of Cockburn is urging residents to dispose of their mattresses correctly after a Fremantle woman was fined $1000 for illegally dumping her mattresses on a verge in front of a “No illegal dumping on the verge – penalties apply” sign near Beeliar Regional Park in Hamilton Hill last year.

City Waste Education Technical Officer Nicki Ledger said mattresses were collected for free as part of the City’s bi-annual verge junk collection.

“They can also be taken to Henderson Waste Recovery Park with a valid trailer pass (fee of $10 applies),” she said.

“These mattresses are recycled by a social enterprise called Soft Landing who offer employment opportunities for people who experience barriers entering the job market.

“Seventy-five per cent of the mattress can be recycled, including springs, foam, husk, timber and fabric.”

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) launched the prosecution after police officers witnessed the woman unloading two mattresses from her van and dumping them on the road verge.

The Fremantle Magistrates Court heard that on July 30 2017 a van was seen parked in front of a City of Cockburn sign that read “No illegal dumping on the verge—penalties apply”.

One mattress was on the ground and the police officers observed her unloading the second onto the roadside.

In addition to the fine, the woman was ordered to pay costs totalling $367.30.

DWER Waste Operations senior manager Matt Warnock said the successful prosecution should act as a warning to “would-be” dumpers.

“Illegal dumping can impact people’s health and the environment and impose significant clean-up costs,” he said.

“DWER works in partnership with the City and other local government authorities to stamp out the illegal dumping of waste.”

The Department conducts around 220 illegal dumping investigations annually and monitors covert surveillance across the State.

Illegal dumping can be reported to DWER’s 24-hour Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or by email to pollutionwatch@dwer.wa.gov.au.

For more info on Soft Landing, visit www.softlanding.com.au.

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