This is a full version of NEA’s reply issued to the media agency; published in Lianhe Zaobao, 7 May 2024.
NEA supports the adoption of automation in cleaning processes
We refer to the letter by 何志荣, “用运输带取代托盘架更加效益” (30 Apr).
2 Currently, the mandatory return of used crockery, cutlery and trays by patrons works hand in hand with the cleaning workflow - where cleaners would collect, sort used crockery and clear food remnants at the tray return stations before washing. In addition, cleaners have to clean dining tables.
3 The National Environment Agency (NEA) agrees with Mr He that cleaning contractors play a key role in ensuring cleanliness in hawker centres. Cleaning contracts procured by NEA and our appointed operators of new hawker centres, require the contractors to provide sufficient manpower to ensure that tables and seats are cleaned efficiently. For cleaning services contracted by the hawkers’ associations, NEA works closely with them to engage appointed cleaning contractors on ways to maintain and improve service delivery, which includes table-cleaning and maintaining the cleanliness of return racks. NEA also shares best practices in calling and managing table-cleaning contracts.
4 When there is feedback from diners, NEA, together with the cleaning contractors and the hawkers’ associations, will examine and make relevant enhancements. These could include refinements to the workflow and manpower deployment to improve cleanliness, or even infrastructural adjustments.
5 NEA recognises that some level of automation is beneficial, to improve productivity and reduce manpower reliance on cleaning processes in hawker centres, especially during peak operating hours. In 2023, NEA broadened the Automated Tray Return Systems component of the Productive Hawker Centres programme to cover Cleaning Process Automation solutions.
6 Examples of such solutions include autonomous systems that clean tables, and autonomous systems to transfer used trays and crockery from tray return points to centralised dishwashing areas. This will reduce cleaners’ workload, especially during peak hours. NEA will co-fund up to 80% of the deployment costs incurred by the cleaning service providers for such solutions in hawker centres.
7 Hawker centres are shared public dining spaces. While NEA continues to work with the relevant stakeholders to make hawker centres conducive for stallholders to work in and patrons to have their meals at, patrons should also play their part. For instance, patrons can help by not leaving food scraps or soiled tissue paper on the tables, as well as placing their used tray and crockery in an orderly manner at the tray return stations.
刘国辉
小贩中心司司长
国家环境局