Dear Friends,
OVERVIEW
“Littering still a problem in Singapore” (Straits Times, 25 July 2022, p B1) – as if we don’t know!
The Situation
In the Straits Times dated 25 July 2022, it was pointed out that ‘Singapore may have the reputation as a clean city, but data from a mobile app (Stridy) that tracks clean-ups shows that this is not because people here do not litter.’ It was reported that a group of volunteers within an hour, picked up 23.7kg of litter from the beach at East Coast Park. This amount is not unusual as the Waterways Watch Society (WWS) have also experienced such haul or more from the CSR/VIA clean-up programmes and volunteer weekly litter-picking activities conducted and, these data are recorded in our Weekly Reports.
But what is significant to note is that the litter that was collected by WWS was mainly from inland, from our ‘Trash hot spots which are heartland areas such as bus stops, pavements, housing areas, parks and places near eateries’(see photos above). And as pointed out in the news media, ‘marine trash is not the only problem here as the amount of inland litter remains a persistent issue.’ And this, litter from inland, is an urgent daily matter which we cannot take lightly. We should prioritise and focus on managing the real problem facing Singapore and a lot relates to Education and Awareness.
Do we give up? ‘There will always be cleaners to clean after us’
Last Saturday 23 July, two of our WWS volunteers went on their task at Pang Sua Pond and chanced upon a lady near Blk 406 at Fajar who commented that she appreciated what they were doing, but she “doesn’t think this is the permanent solution.. people need to be punished otherwise they will not learn” and when asked whether she was interested to join in to spread the message she replied that she had little time to spare. There are many like this lady who knows something must be done but, at best do not know how and at worst, resign to the fact that it is in our Singapore DNA and leave it to the cleaners to do the job.
So where do we go from here?
We must step up our education for all citizens, from schools, corporate organisations to the man in the street. It is a National Issue. The Waterways Watch Society is here to stay and help to promote this awareness.
The following activities were done for this week:
- We conducted 7 CSR programmes which were attended by 280 participants, and together they collected a total of 276 kg of litter.
- We conducted a WWE Learning Journey to Lower Seletar reservoir for 23 students from Sembawang Primary School.
- We participated in a virtual presentation on Climate Change and its impact on Singapore conducted by 5 students from Temasek Polytechnic. The work was done in consultation with the Waterways Watch Society and after which 2 students volunteered their time to do a clean up at Kallang.
- This week a total of 92 members were involved for CSR/VIA programmes, talk, patrols, administration, housekeeping duties and training and, the total trash collected = 326 kg.
- Boat Patrol. A total of 3 Boat patrols were carried out; 1 each at Marina, Punggol and Lakeside.
- Bike Patrol. A total of 3 Bike patrols were carried out; 1 each at Marina, Punggol and Lakeside.
- Foot Patrol. We conducted 1 Foot Patrol at Pang Sua.
- Pedal boat Patrol. 1 Pedal Boat patrol was conducted at Marina.
- Physical Bike, Pedal Boat and Boat Clean Up Orientation for New Applicants. This was conducted for 17 new members at Marina.
- Boat Tour for Frontline workers. The CEO conducted a boat tour briefing for 6 frontliners before their free Boat Tour.
ACTIVITIES AND REPORT
1. Educational Programmes
2. Volunteer Patrols & Activities
a. Marina
b. Punggol
c. Lakeside
d. Pang Sua Pond
e. Yishun Pond Patrol
