Singapore: New public cleanliness agency to use more technology

Today Online 31 Mar 12;

SINGAPORE - To improve cleanliness in public areas, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology will be used to track whether litter bins have been emptied of rubbish.

And the public will be able to dial a single number - 1800 600 3333 - from next month onwards to report any public cleanliness problems.

Such methods are among those the new Department of Public Cleanliness (DPC) will employ, as it takes over as the agency coordinating public area cleaning from other government agencies like the PUB, the Singapore Land Authority and the National Parks Board.

Currently, there are multiple cleaning contracts covering public areas adjacent to each other. The DPC will help ensure greater efficiency and better coordination of such contracts in future.

It will take over the handling of cleaning contracts from now until 2016, as and when the various contracts expire, and also work closely with the Town Councils to look after cleanliness issues within housing estates.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Desmond Tan, who heads the DPC, said: "The new DPC reflects a whole-of-government approach to the cleaning of roads, pavements, drains and other common areas. We will work towards higher standards as we progressively take over the existing cleaning contracts from the agencies. We also hope to provide greater responsiveness to public feedback.

"At the same time, I hope the public will play their part to keep Singapore clean and bin their litter responsibly."

Other technology the DPC will tap on include using Web-based cameras for remote monitoring of cleanliness of public areas. Such methods are less labour-intensive and allow for real-time tracking of the ground situation and contractors' performance.

Besides calling the hotline, the public can also send their feedback on public cleaning issues to DPC@nea.gov.sg and through the myEnv app, now available on iPhones and will be on Android phones shortly.

The agency will introduce more such initiatives progressively over the next two to three years, in tandem with the new integrated cleaning contracts that will be called by the agency.

It will also require successful bidders to be accredited cleaning contractors, as part of the Government's wider measures to boost the cleaning industry.

NEA sets up 'public feedback' hotline
Channel NewsAsia 30 Mar 12;

SINGAPORE: From Sunday, members of public can call the National Environment Agency's (NEA) hotline to report any public cleanliness problems.

The number to call is 1800 600 3333.

The agency's new Department of Public Cleanliness will run the hotline and look into the issue, regardless of the area mentioned.

This may include bus stops, canals, pavements or other common areas.

However, town councils will continue to manage the cleanliness in HDB estates, and the department will work closely with them on this.

The new department will integrate and manage public area cleaning contracts for greater efficiency and better coordination in the long run.

Currently, different public agencies look after the cleanliness of public areas.

For example, the National Parks Board manages cleanliness at parks, while the Land Transport Authority is in charge of cleanliness at footpaths.

From now till 2016, the department will progressively take over the contracts from other public agencies such as national water agency PUB, the Singapore Land Authority and the National Parks Board.

It will also explore ways to make use of technology for cleaning audits.

It plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which can track litter-bins and employ web-based cameras for remote monitoring of cleanliness of public areas.

These allow for real-time tracking of the ground situation and contractors' performance, enabling officers to quickly activate cleaning crew when necessary.

Apart from the hotline, members of public can also send their feedback on public cleaning issues to DPC@nea.gov.sg -- from Sunday -- and through the myEnv app for smartphones.

NEA said more of such initiatives will be introduced progressively over the next two to three years and in tandem with the new integrated cleaning contracts that will be called by the department.

They will also require successful bidders to be accredited cleaning contractors, as part of the government's wider measures to boost the cleaning industry.

Mr Desmond Tan, who heads the new department, said: "The new Department of Public Cleanliness reflects a Whole-Of-Government Approach to the cleaning of roads, pavements, drains and other common areas.

"We will work towards higher standards as we progressively take over the existing cleaning contracts from the agencies.

"We also hope to provide greater responsiveness to public feedback. At the same time, I hope the public will play a part to keep Singapore clean and bin litter responsibly."

- CNA/wk

Call new number to dish dirt on litter
NEA unit will also use technology to check public areas
Straits Times 31 Mar 12;

Overflowing rubbish bins may be on the way out, with plans by the new Department of Public Cleanliness to tag all NEA bins. This will allow officers to keep count of all emptied bins with a quick scan. -- ST PHOTO: MALCOLM MCLEOD

1800-600-3333 - that's the number to call if you see a dirty spot in a public place and want the authorities to do something about it.

The National Environment Agency's (NEA) new Department of Public Cleanliness (DPC) will launch the number tomorrow, which will make it easier for people to give feedback on public cleanliness.

The department also plans to use technology to keep public areas clean, including remote monitoring of litter bins. A tag will be placed in all NEA litter bins, allowing officers to keep count of all emptied bins with a quick scan.

Web-based cameras will also be installed for real-time tracking of the ground situation and contractors' performance.

This will enable officers to activate cleaning crews quickly should there be 'cleaning lapses', said the DPC.

Currently, public cleaning is taken care of by various agencies. Drains, for instance, are under the charge of national water agency PUB. Footpaths are the Land Transport Authority's business, while parks are under the National Parks Board.

This has led to overlaps, which is why the DPC was set up to integrate and manage all public area cleaning contracts.

It will progressively take over these contracts between now and 2016, as and when the contracts expire.

Town councils will work closely with the DPC and continue to take charge of cleaning public areas in housing estates.

To create more feedback channels for people, the myENV app has been launched to collect public response. It is now available on iPhones and will be on Android phones shortly.

The DPC also welcomes e-mail related to public cleaning issues at DPC@nea.gov.sg