SINGAPORE: When a local Reddit user asked others on the platform whether they think Singapore has become “noticeably dirtier” in recent years, they received a resounding “yes” from commenters.
“I notice a lot more litter at bus stops, along sheltered walkways, and in void decks. Usually, tissue paper, drink containers, and plastic trash. Of course, not saying our streets were once totally spotless, but I think it’s time we reinforced the anti-littering campaign and stepped up education in schools and neighbourhoods. No point being a cleaned city rather than a clean one by habit,” wrote u/Davemel50 in a post on r/askSingapore on Jun 1 (Monday).
The top comment belonged to a Reddit user who lamented the state of many public bathrooms.
“It’s indeed getting dirtier… especially toilets. I don’t understand why coffee shops and hawker centre toilets can be so filthy. Like… why? And not to forget MRT toilets too,” they wrote.
Another chimed in to say that they’ve observed that there are fewer cleaners and trash bins.
“Usually, when I use the toilet in malls, there’s a 50/50 chance I will see a cleaner, but not recently. Like, where did all the cleaners go? There are also fewer bins around. Foreigners are an easy scapegoat, and may in fact contribute, but (I don’t think) they’re the root of the issue. With public transport and places getting so crowded nowadays, Singaporeans and foreigners alike might be losing their patience. Cleanliness will be the last thing on their minds.”
In response to this, some have written that cleaners should be given better salaries to make the job more attractive to potential candidates.
“I hate to say this, but shopping mall toilets are reaching coffee shop and hawker toilet standards too… Anyhow throw their used tissues and empty packets on the floor too. The stench of urine is also terrible. I don’t blame the cleaners for not wanting to wash up such dirty cubicles,” another added, writing that people who don’t care about personal hygiene are to blame.
“100%. I lived in Singapore (from) 2013 to 2014 and was mesmerised at how clean the toilets everywhere were, not just those in the atas malls. Now, the majority are poorly made, dirty, and unclean. Big difference in just over 10 years,” wrote a commenter.
“Even little India and Chinatown were cleaner just a decade ago,” one pointed out.
A commenter from Vietnam wrote, “15 years ago, I heard SG was the cleanest city all around the world and went to SG for travel two times. I lived and worked here 1 year ago (basically newbie) but imo, SG got dirtier for real.”
When another expressed the concern that not only has it gotten dirtier, but they also believe that there are “a lot more” rats, many agreed.
One pointed out, “On the point of rats, I think that as cities age, they get dirtier. In the 2000s, our sewers were at most 10 to 20 years old for most HDB estates. Liken it to a human, Singapore was a teenager then. Now they’re 40 to 50 years old. Our sewers become older, they will have more rats. New estates also do not really have rats.” /TISG
Read also: Jack Sim asks why millionaire coffee shop owner would be given a grant to clean toilets