Silversea Condo Not the Only One to Hoard Trolleys; It’s Happening Everywhere

Image: Facebook (Tan Kim Leng)
Image: Facebook (Tan Kim Leng)

Silversea condominium – the self-proclaimed “most luxurious development in the east” – was exposed yesterday for engaging in something not-so-luxurious.

Facebook user Tan Kim Leng chanced upon the hoard of over 15 supermarket trolleys while walking through the condo’s basement carpark. They had allegedly been left at the disabled parking lot for months.

This exposé sparked the ire of many netizens, with many angry comments along the lines of “money doesn’t buy class”.

Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 10.26.09 am Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 10.26.37 am Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 10.26.48 am Screen Shot 2016-07-19 at 10.27.04 am

One even shared the post with Seah Kian Peng, MP from Marine Parade GRC (which Silversea belongs to), who replied:

“Indeed, these are terrible and inconsiderate acts of residents/ shoppers which not only inconvenience and deprive other shoppers of use of trolleys but also trouble our staff who needs to make arrangements to go and collect these trolleys. I hope the shoppers themselves and the people staying at Silversea take ownership and accountability and that such acts do not continue going forward.”

Image: Facebook (Peter Tan)
Image: Facebook (Peter Tan)

Silversea condo might be the latest trolley dumping ground in Singapore, but they are certainly not the first.

Overpass outside Meridian Primary in Pasir Ris

Image: STOMP
Image: STOMP

The area was famed for being a “personal trolley bay”, with residents claiming that the trolleys build up again even though they get cleared weekly. According to a STOMP reader, numbers can grow up to almost 20 in just seven days.

Jurong West Street 65

Image: Channel News Asia
Image: Channel News Asia

Abandoned trolleys are a common sight here – the area has even been flagged by NTUC as “an area of particular concern”. Many are often found near lift landings, garbage disposal areas and even in drains.

Jurong East HDB carpark

Image: The New Paper
Image: The New Paper

Five Giant trolleys and three NTUC trolleys were abandoned in a HDB carpark in Jurong East, and get this – the trolley thieves even took the time to rid the trolleys of their $1 coins. Unbelievable.

If you thought these people drew the lines at trolleys, you’re wrong.

In 2015, Sheng Shiong lost 180 trolley baskets per month – which boiled down to a whopping six baskets a day. Dairy Farm Group (which runs Giant) was no different, with it Jurong East outlet seeing 600 trolley baskets go missing.

Perplexing? No. After all, it’s far easier to wheel your groceries back instead of struggling with shopping bags.

But selfish? Definitely.