It’s Actually Illegal To Throw Bulky Items At HDB Void Decks; Here’s What You Should Do Instead

Last Updated on 2022-12-14 , 3:32 pm

Imagine leaving for work or school in the morning, groggy-eyed with sleep deprivation, only to bump unceremoniously into a large bed… right in the middle of your HDB void deck. 

But that’s not all. You find yourself having to further navigate a warzone of shelves, mattresses, planks and cardboard boxes just to get to the bus stop. 

And to top it all off, you’re running late, with a big, nasty baluku swelling up on your shin. Yikes. 

It’s Illegal To Throw Bulky Items At HDB Void Decks, Here’s What You Should Do Instead

The presence of bulky items at HDB void decks has been a perennial issue that has been plaguing residents for the longest time. 

This is particularly so for the residents of Tampines Street (Block 464 and Block 468), as seen from one resident who took to Stomp to express frustration over how common areas are being treated like a dumping ground for all manner of unwanted items. 

The Stomper pointed out the potential fire hazards and obstruction risks posed to residents, on top of being a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that the neighbourhood has been bogged down with such a problem. 

In June 2020, another Stomper had complained that residents had been dumping bulky items at the void deck of Block 146 Tampines Avenue 5. She shared photos of a shelf, a mattress, a storage unit, wooden planks and chairs being dumped at the void deck. 

She made it clear that she was not putting the blame on the workers who help to clear the trash, but rather residents with no consideration for the cleanliness of their spaces. 

Indeed, if you weren’t already aware, it is an offence to dump your bulky items at HDB void decks, or any public place for that matter. 

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), if you wish to dispose of your bulky items, you may contact the public waste collector (PWC) in your estate. You can also engage the services of any licensed waste collector—the list of licensed collectors can be found here. 

In response to the query made by the Stomper back in June 2020, the Tampines Town Council mentioned that they offer free bulky removal service for up to three bulky items per household each month. 

Residents of Tampines can reach out to the town council should they require help in the removal of bulky items. 

In other words, there is no excuse for treating your HDB void deck as a dumping ground or your personal storeroom, so it would be ideal if we could all exercise a little more consideration in caring for our public places.

Featured Image: Robert Gregory Griffeth / Shutterstock.com