Town council acts to curb trash problem

A town council is ramping up efforts to curb littering after residents in three new blocks of Choa Chua Kang flats were plagued by bulky refuse blocking their walkways and rubbish chutes.

Chua Chu Kang Town Council (CCKTC) yesterday announced plans to install CCTV cameras in areas where dumping is rampant, station council officers at Building Service Centres, and step up enforcement to catch errant contractors.

Last weekend, the Housing Board had to clear accumulated rubbish and fix jammed refuse-handling equipment attached to the central rubbish chute at Block 817A Keat Hong Link.

Rubbish had choked the chute between the second and eighth floors, resulting in a foul smell that attracted pests.

An HDB spokesman said improper disposal of renovation debris and bulky refuse, such as a cabinet door, had caused the blockage. The problem was rectified by Monday.

Large amounts of litter and unwanted furniture have been spilling onto walkways and cluttering lift landings in at least three blocks in Choa Chu Kang Avenue 7 and Keat Hong Link.

Residents said they have been dealing with the problem for several weeks.

The situation improved after CCKTC workers manually removed the waste over the last few days.

When The Straits Times visited the area yesterday, rubbish previously strewn in piles around the bins had been cleared and sorted neatly into the bins. But a faint foul smell still lingered in the air.

A secretary who wanted to be known only as Ms Chong, 56, who lives in Block 817B, said the situation has improved.

She added: “The town council reacted fast. Seeing as this is a new place, it wasn’t that bad.”

She added that it was a good learning experience for the town council and suggested that bigger bins be placed in the estate.

Home owners were allowed to collect keys to units in the new blocks of flats in March, and they have been carrying out renovations and moving in progressively.

The Housing Board advised residents to “exercise consideration” by not throwing bulky items down the rubbish chutes and to seek help from their renovation contractor or the town council if they need to do so, it said.

“This will go a long way in ensuring that rubbish chutes will not be obstructed, and refuse can be cleared smoothly for the benefit of all residents,” said the spokesman.

CCKTC also urged residents to report cases of illegal dumping and misuse of the refuse chutes to the town council by calling 6569-0388 or e-mailing info@ccktc.org.sg.

This article was first published on June 30, 2016.
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