We thank Ms Jamie Tan for her letter, “Stop cleaners from clearing tables at hawker centres that charge deposits for trays” (July 16).

The National Environment Agency (NEA) agrees that the practice of returning trays not only contributes to raising labour productivity at hawker centres. It improves the centres’ overall cleanliness.

This is why NEA has been encouraging patrons to do so in various ways, including introducing automated tray-return systems with a deposit feature to nudge patrons to return trays with used crockery.

NEA is keenly aware that, as the system is new to some hawker centres, some patrons may not be accustomed to using trays and returning them after meals. Hence, the agency has been working closely with hawkers’ associations to brief and remind hawkers to urge patrons to use trays, as well as provide publicity materials, such as banners and posters encouraging tray return.

NEA and the table-cleaning contractors also engage tray-return ambassadors to encourage patrons to return their trays.

NEA is heartened to know that the hawker centre at Block 163 Bukit Merah Central, which has an automated tray-return system, is making good progress. At present, the tray-return rate is about 65 per cent. More importantly, three out of 10 table cleaners have been redeployed to help with centralised dishwashing, as fewer cleaners are needed to collect and sort trays and used crockery.

In the hawker centre at Block 84 Marine Parade Central, where an automated tray-return system was introduced only in May, two out of 18 table cleaners have been redeployed to take on other cleaning tasks. The tray-return rate has also risen from 15 per cent to 60 per cent.

Behavioural change among patrons and hawkers will take time and require the support of all stakeholders. 

The long-term goal is to grow and sustain a gracious social norm of considerate behaviour at hawker centres, with patrons returning trays with soiled crockery and leaving tables clean for the next diner.

NEA welcomes suggestions and will continuously refine our efforts to promote the tray-return social norm.

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