Anti-litter crusaders on patrol at East Coast Park

SINGAPORE - The spandex-clad duo, fresh off a biking session at East Coast Park, stood at the side of a road puffing on their cigarettes.

One of them casually flicked his spent butt onto the grass, only to be approached by anti-litter crusader Tony Soh.

Caught in the act, the man sheepishly picked up his stub and deposited it in a nearby bin.

Saturday morning, Mr Soh, 47, chief corporate officer of a serviced apartment group, was among about 20 volunteers at the park to pick up trash and catch offenders in the act. Half of them were armed with warrant cards that allow them to take offenders to task.

But three hours later, those warrant cards had not left any pockets: Nobody had had to whip out his card to deal with a defiant litterbug who refused to pick up his trash.

In fact, most picnicking families, joggers and dog-walkers at the crowded park cleared up and binned their rubbish.

Among offenders, the butt-flicker's reaction is typical, said volunteers interviewed, and only one of them has actually used his card since the National Environment Agency began issuing them earlier this year.

That honour goes to Alexandra Health group chief Liak Teng Lit, who helms the latest effort to keep Singapore clean.

Although he has warned more than 30 people for littering over the last few months, he took down the particulars of only one man he caught smoking in a non-smoking zone and throwing his butt there. The information went to the authorities and the man was fined for littering.

"He gave me his identity card and didn't make a fuss," said Mr Liak.

"On another occasion, there was a man who screamed at me in Hokkkien, saying he'd just been released from prison after 10 years and wouldn't mind going in for another 10. But even he calmed down eventually and picked his tissue paper up.

"On the whole though, once you approach them, they respond quickly and apologetically."

This is particularly so when litterbugs are reminded that they are lucky to get away with a warning rather than a fine, said volunteers.

Under the law, litterbugs face a composition fine of up to $300.

Recalcitrants can be fined up to $1,000 for the first conviction and up to $5,000 for repeat convictions. They can also be ordered to pick up litter in public for up to 12 hours.

Project specialist Quek Ngor Koon, 65, said: "I keep the warrant card in my wallet at all times, but when I've reminded people to pick up something they've discarded, they've always done so, maybe because they wouldn't want to be rude to an older woman."

A total of 104 volunteers from five groups involved in environmental sustainability have been trained for the scheme since it started early this year.

Most of the time, these volunteers keep their eyes peeled to catch offenders "opportunistically" as they go about their daily routines.

Saturday was the first time the team got together for a concerted effort. Said Mr Liak: "The impact could be felt today as we were a very visible group and when you see people picking up litter in front of you, you too will dispose of it in the bin."

Volunteer Arthur Ang, 54, an executive in an oil trading firm, noticed how one group of campers had pushed all their rubbish beyond their neat abode and left it just beyond its boundaries.

"We need to expand that square and help people redefine what they consider their 'home', which they will always keep clean," he said. "It just takes that small switch and that self-awareness."

Saturday's exercise comes as the Government mulls over giving ordinary Singaporeans the power to fine a litterbug on the spot as part of wide-ranging efforts to encourage people to take ownership of their environment. This is on top of looking into stiffer penalties against litterbugs.

Mr Liak is keen that the process be taken even further.

"Why stop at littering? For senior people with proper training, let's do away with the silo mentality and give them the right to book other offenders such as those who smoke in non-smoking areas and those who park illegally," he said.

Besides, he added, nobody needs a card to take action against littering.

"Anybody can do what we're doing," he said. "Although the warrant card helps you to deal with the defiant minority, for most people, once you talk to them, they will back off and pick up their trash."

One believer is Mr Mohit Varshney, 44, managing director of a trading company. The Indian national, who has been here for three years, is not eligible for a warrant card, but that has not stopped him from spreading the anti-littering message.

"People often leave their unwanted things at the bus stop, so I will ask them if I can bin it for them. I find that it works better when I remind people gently and in a kinder way," he said.

"And even on the rare times when they ignore me, I'll pick it up myself. Maybe if they don't bin it today, they may reflect on what happened and do it tomorrow."

ailien@sph.com.sg

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