Grace Fu: NEA officers may give advisories to people rummaging through garbage bins for beverage containers

SINGAPORE: In Parliament this week, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that individuals who rummage through public refuse containers, including those who do so for the sake of gathering bottles and cans in order to collect a refund, may be given an advisory by officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA).

After the Return Right Beverage Container Return Scheme was introduced earlier this year, the minister has had to answer a number of questions raised in Parliament, as various issues have needed to be clarified.

On Oct 6, she said in another written reply that rummaging through public rubbish bins is against the law, adding that the NEA would take action against those who do this, remove items from public bins, and leave or spill waste on the ground.

MP Yeo Wan Ling (PAP-Punggol) raised a related question for the Nov 3 (Tuesday) sitting, asking what would guide the Ministry’s enforcement approach towards individuals who remove beverage containers from public bins, including cases where no waste is scattered, or no public hygiene issue is caused. 

She also asked if the Government would study and address the potential root causes of such behaviour, including financial need.   

In Ms Fu’s reply, she said that people have rummaged through refuse bins even before the beverage container refund scheme began, adding, “We discourage members of the public from rummaging. Apart from the potential disamenities to the wider community, there are also hygiene and safety concerns for the individuals doing so.”

To address this, NEA first focuses on public education to promote good hygiene practices. However, if people still rummage through rubbish bins, she added that the agency “takes a calibrated approach in determining whether enforcement actions will be taken. Where individuals are found rummaging through public refuse bins without leaving litter on the ground, our officers may provide an advisory.”

In cases where it is appropriate, they may be referred to social agencies so that they can receive additional support.

The recycling scheme is a topic that many Singaporeans have opinions about, based on online comments.

“There's a difference between creating a public nuisance and trying to earn a little extra money through recycling. Compassion and common sense should come before enforcement. After all, the scheme encourages recycling in the first place,” a Facebook user wrote.

“These elderly are actually helping to recycle. Instead of advisory, give them proper jobs as Recycling Ambassadors — train them, give them gloves and support. They deserve dignity, not warnings,” added another.

“There must be a reason why they have to rummage through the rubbish. Rather than issue fines and summons, how about designing a little bin on the side for people to put their empty cans? These could help those who need the cans for money and help our recycling efforts,” a third suggested. /TISG

Read also: Singaporeans divided after Grace Fu says rummaging through public bins for BCRS containers is illegal