Litter—watch groups on the lookout for high—rise litterbugs

SINGAPORE: Residents living in the South West district will be on the lookout for high—rise litterbugs over the next few months.

Volunteers will be forming litter—watch groups to monitor four HDB blocks. They are in Choa Chu Kang Crescent, Boon Lay Drive, Pandan Gardens and Bukit Batok Street 24.

There have been cases of rubbish and cigarette butts being thrown out of these blocks this year. Volunteers will be on the alert for high—rise litterbugs, and will keep authorities updated.

Choa Chu Kang MP Alex Yam said involving residents is a more effective strategy.

He said: "When we ask our fellow residents to help look out for instances of high—rise littering, this is where we can get people to help each other along the way. It’s not so much catching the person, but acting as a collective deterrence."

South West District Mayor Dr Amy Khor said the watch groups will also be conducting house visits to advise residents against high—rise littering.

"This initiative is not to shame residents. But we need to identify residents who’re doing this to let them know that this is actually wrong. It’s inconsiderate, irresponsible, uncivilised, and also to inculcate good habits and get residents to take ownership as a collective deterrence," said Dr Khor.

The initiative follows the National Environment Agency announcement to deploy surveillance cameras at 100 littering hotspots, starting in August.

—CNA/ac