GEIS-新闻详情

Hawker centre diners clear tables on first day of enforcement but some still flouting rule

2021-09-01 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE - The first day of tray return enforcement kicked in on Wednesday (Sept 1) with most patrons at some hawker centres here diligently clearing their own trays. However, cleaners said that some patrons still left used crockery and litter on tables.

When The Straits Times visited Redhill Food Centre on Wednesday morning, the centre's toilet attendant, Madam Ong Hong Luan, 76, said: "Some (errant patrons) come in very early at 4am to 5am to eat before working, before any of the cleaners come in."

"They left their trays because they thought no one would see and catch them," said Madam Ong in Mandarin.

From Wednesday, enforcement action will be taken against those who do not clean up after themselves at hawker centres - after a three-month advisory period.

First-time offenders will be given a written warning, while second-time offenders will face a $300 composition fine. Subsequent offenders may face court fines, which can go up to $2,000 for the first conviction.

Enforcement of the rule requiring diners to clear used crockery and table litter at coffee shops and foodcourts has been pushed back to January next year (2022).

The Straits Times also visited Serangoon Gardens Market and Food Centre, where people could be seen returning their trays to designated tray-return stations during breakfast and lunch.

Announcements were regularly broadcast at the hawker centre in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil to remind patrons to observe safe distancing and to return their trays after use. National Environment Agency (NEA) officers were also on hand to patrol the market and remind people to return their trays.

Stall owners at Serangoon Gardens Market and Food Centre have been educating customers on the new rule.

Mr Mohammed Firuz bin Samur, 49, owner of Aliff Nasi Lemak said: “Once the customer gets fined, it will affect our business because they won’t come back to the market anymore to buy our food. We hope that the NEA can be more lenient."

The Straits Times also visited Amoy Street Food Centre at around noon, when office workers turned out in full force for their lunch break. Two NEA enforcement officers were seen.

Mdm Noorjahan Manna Shahul Hamid, 59, owner of Indian Muslim food stall Bismillah said that Amoy Street hawker centre was much cleaner after the Government announced plans to enforce tray return earlier this year.

"The situation used to be disastrous; people would throw their used tissue paper and chopsticks on the floor. Now, the tables are empty and clean. The floors are as clean as my own home now," she said with a laugh.

Cleaners' roles have also changed. Instead of clearing used crockery and litter on tables, they were seen clearing tray-return stations at the hawker centres in Redhill, Serangoon Garden and Amoy Street. Cleaners were also seen wiping down the tables after patrons had left.

Mr Oh Tiong Li, 53, cleaning supervisor at Redhill Food Centre, hoped that NEA enforcement officers would be "empathetic to seniors", especially those using canes and wheelchairs, and not warn or fine them indiscriminately.

"It's not easy for them to return trays as they may not be able to move as well or the trays may be heavy for them," said Mr Oh.

Retiree Wai Fooi, 78, who visits Redhill Food Centre regularly, said: "If there is a tray-return station nearby, I still can return my tray. I have had surgery on both my knees. Now, my friends and I prefer to get our food in takeaway packets to eat at the hawker centre. It's easier to throw the packets away as they are lighter and more convenient."