Over 650 Diners were Asked to Clear Their Tables Daily in Sep 2021

Back in May 2021, the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced that it is mandatory for all diners at public dining places to return their used trays and crockery, as well as dispose of any litter after they are done eating.

According to the announcement, the advisory period for the enforcement against table littering at hawker centres will start on 1 September 2021, while the advisory period for the enforcement against table littering at food courts and coffee shops will begin to take place between 1 November and 31 December 2021.

Individuals who have been reminded but refuse to take the enforcement officers’ advice will have their details taken down and issued a written warning. If they are caught committing the same offence again, they will be fined.

Over 650 Diners were Asked to Clear Their Tables Daily in Sep 2021

Now that it is 14 September, the government decided to review the first 10 days of the advisory period to determine how we have done. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t seem very great.

In fact, over 650 diners were approached each day between 1 September and 10 September by enforcement officers to remind them to return their trays after their meals.

Thankfully, no one was fined just yet since the punishment only applies for second or subsequent offences, as mentioned by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment in a written parliamentary statement.

Many of the diners heeded the instructions of the enforcement officers and quickly returned their trays to avoid any trouble. However, one particular diner was issued a warning letter to mark his first offence after he chose to ignore this advice.

What About Zi Char or Steamboat Meals that are Difficult to Return?

Noting that it would be difficult for diners to clear a large number of plates after eating zi char (stir-fried dishes) or to clear hot barbecue pans and steamboats after having a mookata meal, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency, questioned if any patrons at eating places that have these two types of meals were fined.

She also followed up by asking for examples of scenarios where pragmatic approaches were taken for stalls with dedicated service staff members.

These questions were posed during the parliamentary sitting on 13 September, but they were not answered then.

Ms Fu later responded in a written statement saying that stall assistants of zi char stalls or the cleaning attendants will assist in collecting bulky crockery after the diners are done with their meals. However, diners are still expected to clear the rest of the dirty crockery and their table litter.

As of now, most diners have been able to follow the instructions to do so.

Installation of New Racks and Trolleys

Hawker centres now have about 900 existing racks, but with the new rule, it is believed that these racks would not be enough. As such, Ms Fu revealed that NEA will be installing 150 new racks so that it provides increased ease of convenience for diners to return their trays.

NEA will also be adding on 300 more trolleys progressively so that trays and crockery can be placed on them. These trolleys will be strategically placed in various locations so that they are within walking distance of diners. For example, the trolleys could be placed in areas with tight aisles in between existing trays and crockery return racks so that the walking distance of diners is reduced.

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