JOINT ADVISORY BETWEEN NEA AND SFA
Singapore, 12 June 2024 – To promote good hygiene and social responsibility, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) implemented stricter measures against table littering. Enforcement began at hawker centres on 1 September 2021, and at coffeeshops and food courts on 1 January 2022. Diners who failed to clear their used trays and crockery were advised by officers, and written warnings were issued to those who disregarded the advice. From 1 June 2023, enforcement officers have requested the particulars of diners who did not return their used trays and crockery at hawker centres, coffeeshops and food courts. First-time offenders were issued written warnings, while repeat offenders were issued fines or charged in Court.
2 NEA and SFA have observed that the vast majority of diners take the initiative to remove table litter and return their trays and crockery. Diners are also cooperative when approached for not removing their litter and trays.
3 We thank everyone who has contributed to this movement, and our cleaners for continuing to play an important role to clear the racks, wipe tables and keep our dining places clean and hygienic. The average Tray and Crockery Return Rate (TCRR) at hawker centres is 93 per cent in April 2024, above the 65 per cent in August 2021 before the start of table littering enforcement. Many hawker centres achieved even better results, with hawker centres, such as Fernvale Hawker Centre & Market, Market Street Hawker Centre, and Chong Pang Market & Food Centre attaining an average TCRR of 98% in April 2024. Coffeeshops and food courts had attained an average of 90 per cent in Dec 2022, and SFA works with licensees to ensure continued compliance with the requirement.
4 The stepped-up enforcement for table littering from 1 June 2023 aims to ensure that the good efforts of the majority are not marred by the inconsiderate behaviour of the minority. Over 5,000 written warnings were issued to first-time offenders since then. Only a small number - nine repeat offenders - were issued tickets.
5 We wish to reiterate that enforcement will not be taken against those who are observed to be unable to clear their tables, such as the frail elderly, the less abled, or children. In such instances, family members or dining companions, if present, should help with the clearing of the tables.
6 NEA, together with the hawkers’ associations, town councils, operators and cleaning contractors, will try as far as possible to make further infrastructural adjustments. This includes shifting less-used racks to more popular return points, or putting in mobile trolleys to create additional tray and crockery return points when required. The adjustments take into account the visibility of the racks and ease of diners’ access to the racks, balanced alongside business considerations such as having sufficient seating space within the hawker centre.
7 NEA also displayed educational materials at all hawker centres to provide clarity on the types of crockery to be returned by diners, and cleared by stall assistants or cleaners. Similarly, SFA shares educational materials with coffeeshop and food court operators for them to display at their premises. SFA also works closely with the operators to ensure that their premises have sufficient tray return facilities and cleaners, to ensure proper maintenance of the racks especially during peak periods. We welcome feedback and ideas on how to further improve this, with the aim of maintaining a cleaner and more hygienic dining environment for all to enjoy.
8 In this Year of Public Hygiene, there is a strong emphasis on the collective efforts needed by all stakeholders to uphold high standards of public hygiene. Everyone has a critical role to play to keep Singapore clean.
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