Littering punishment under review

Also, green plan to be updated to boost growth, improve living environment: PM Lee
Toh Yong Chuan Straits Times 27 Oct 13;

Litterbugs could soon face tougher penalties, with a review of anti-littering laws under way as part of Singapore's continued push for clean public spaces.

Separately, the national green plan is being updated to include the building of environmentally friendly hawker centres and cutting of carbon emissions, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong disclosed yesterday.

These initiatives are part of the review of the 2009 Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, which outlines strategies to achieve economic growth and a good living environment.

Speaking at the launch of the annual Clean and Green Campaign - into its 45th year - Mr Lee said Singaporeans have to take pride in their surroundings.

While most help to keep the environment clean, a minority still litter, leave tables at hawker centres dirty, and even abuse enforcement officers.

"We must not condone such bad behaviour, or let it spread," he said. "The Government has tightened enforcement, and we will review our penalties to punish littering, to stop littering."

The National Environment Agency (NEA) told The Sunday Times that it is considering higher fines. Currently, litterbugs face a composition fine of up to $300. Recalcitrants hauled to court can be fined up to $1,000 for the first conviction and up to $5,000 for repeat convictions. They can also be ordered to pick up litter in public for up to 12 hours.

In May, Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament that penalties for high-rise littering will probably need to be reviewed and the fines imposed "significantly raised".

Yesterday, Mr Lee said the NEA is also piloting a Community Volunteers programme, where some 100 citizens have the powers to act against litterbugs. The best way to keep the country clean is not through fines and regulations though, but to exert social pressure on those who do not respect the environment, he added.

Singaporeans could, for instance, tell those who litter to pick up after themselves.

"We must also keep Singapore clean because it reflects our values - to be house-proud, considerate, environmentally conscious," Mr Lee said at the event, at an open field next to the Nex shopping mall.

With a bigger population leading to higher energy consumption and greater waste, the imperative to stay clean and green remains important.

"Let us work together to build a beautiful Singapore that we can proudly call our home."

The year-long campaign's theme is "Every Action Counts" and carnivals, a workshop and a national conference on keeping Singapore clean are on the cards.

Yesterday, the National Environment Agency also lauded 10 "environment champions".

Among them was housewife Elisa Ng, who started a litter-picking drive on Facebook in January.

The 42-year-old picks up litter whenever she sees it in her estate, saying: "For all the resources put in, the place does not look any cleaner to me. We are clean because of the efforts of cleaners."

Other environment champions include Mr Ganesan Kulandai, 58, a grassroots leader who checks on mosquito breeding; and Ms Siti Maryam, 32, a marine biologist who tracks the health of seagrass in Singapore.

Sustainable Singapore Blueprint to be reviewed
Vimita Mohandas Channel NewsAsia 26 Oct 13;

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced that there will be a review of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.

The aim is to update it with new initiatives which include building more environmentally-friendly hawker centres and reducing carbon emissions next year.

Launched in 2009, the blueprint outlines strategies to achieve twin objectives of economic growth and a good living environment.

Mr Lee said this at the launch of the year-long Clean and Green 2014 campaign on Saturday.

He said more Singaporeans have a greater consciousness of green issues.

For example, recycling rates have been increasing and more people are using energy-efficient appliances.

While the government will be reviewing penalties for litterbugs, Mr Lee said the best way is to put social pressure on them.

Mr Lee said: "We have to set the right example, if your see somebody who is littering, tell them to pick up after themselves. And make sure that we ourselves don't do it. Keeping Singapore clean isn't just about fines and regulations. We must also keep Singapore clean because it must reflect our values - to be house-proud, considerate, environmentally conscious."

Mr Lee added that the environment also depends on Singapore’s neighbours and highlighted haze problems earlier this year.

But he said that should the haze return, the government will do what it can to minimise the impact such as improving its monitoring and surveillance capabilities as well as putting in place contingency plans to ensure that masks and essential supplies can be distributed to vulnerable groups.

Mr Lee also presented Community-In-Bloom ambassador awards at the event.

One recipient was 50-year-old Wendy Tan, who carries out a self-sustainable gardening method of producing fertilisers from kitchen waste.

The youngest Environment Champion was 22-year-old Daniel Tan, who used wall murals to spread the importance of reducing, recycling and reusing.

Mr Tan said: "I've all along been a fan of street art so I wanted to incorporate street art into my project. I hope that by starting young, I can set an example because I think recycling is a habit and it has to start young."

Also displayed at the Clean and Green carnival were mobile applications that help to address environmental issues.

For instance, the Parent Pool app enables parents in the neighbourhood with children attending the same school to form a community so that they can make carpool arrangements. It also has useful information such as weather data.

- CNA/ir/xq