Litterbugs nabbed at countdown parties

SINGAPORE: Getting a ticket for littering was not the best start to the new year for some party—goers as they were caught in the act.

The party is over and someone has to clean up after the litterbugs.

Some litterbugs got away but some didn’t and were nabbed by officers from the National Environment Agency.

They issued 59 tickets to litterbugs this time, mostly for throwing cigarette butts. This was down from the 70 caught in the previous year.

Director of Operations at The Esplanade, Ravi Sivalingam, said: "The large majority of them actually make an effort to clean up after themselves. But of course, you know with any large—scale event, sometimes if the bins are full or if people can’t find a bin, it still gets bagged quite neatly but then the bag gets left behind."

Most party—goers said all it takes is a little effort to stay litter—free.

Agnes Tan, who works in the banking industry, said: "We’re all well—known for the cleanliness and all, and everyone just takes it for granted that someone will clean up after them."

Siti Salamah, who works as a nurse, suggested that placing more dustbins can help to reduce littering.

Jessica Koa, a secretary, said: "I think there are not many dustbins around here also. That’s why people just anyhow put their rubbish over here."

Those caught littering could end up with a fine or a corrective work order slapped on them.

— CNA/fa