SINGAPORE: A Viral Post Ignites Outrage

A viral Facebook post has ignited a firestorm of outrage among residents after a user shared shocking videos capturing two women casually tossing trash from their high-rise corridor. The post, authored by a user known as Sohibo Netads, appeared on the Complaint Singapore group on Tuesday (October 22) and included clips recorded by a CCTV camera installed by the lift, beginning several months ago.

Disturbing Footage and Community Reactions

The disturbing footage covers incidents dated from late May through October, showing the women nonchalantly throwing various items out of their apartment building, seemingly unfazed by their actions. Commenters were quick to express their disbelief, with one questioning, “What’s wrong with them?” as the frustration over this ongoing issue palpable in the replies.

Calls for Action Against Litterbugs

This incident has sparked calls from netizens urging the original poster to take action by reporting the women through the OneService app or contacting the National Environment Agency (NEA) directly, suggesting that these videos could serve as crucial evidence against the offenders. There were even creative proposals, such as placing a dustbin near the area to reduce littering habits.

Singapore's Stance on Littering

Singapore has long held a zero-tolerance stance on high-rise littering, which embodies a significant public health concern. As reiterated by the NEA, littering from residential buildings contravenes the Environmental Public Health Act 1987, and such actions can lead to hefty fines. A first-time offender can face a maximum fine of $2,000, escalating to $10,000 for repeat offenses, coupled with possible corrective work orders requiring culprits to clean public spaces for hours.

Worrying Trends in High-Rise Littering

Recent statistics reveal a worrying trend—increasing instances of high-rise littering. Research conducted by the NEA shows a staggering rise of nearly 64% in reported littering cases, jumping from an average of 19,100 incidents per year between 2017 and 2019 to approximately 31,200 complaints from 2020 to 2022.

Effectiveness of Anti-Littering Campaigns

This surge calls into question the effectiveness of anti-littering campaigns in Singapore. As the nation prides itself on cleanliness and public hygiene, the community now finds itself grappling with the question: Are our efforts enough to combat the rise of littering, or has it become an ingrained habit for some individuals?

Urgency for Collective Response

Local authorities and residents alike are now left wondering how to deal with this pressing issue that not only tarnishes the beauty of the city but poses serious risks to public health and safety. As discussions continue online, the urgency for a collective response is clearer than ever—Singapore cannot afford to let littering become the norm.