Sunday 20 January 2008

'Fine-ally'

At last, NEA has gone into action to catch the litterbugs. The first to be caught was a teenager who 'accidentally' threw a cigarette butt & a tissue paper on the floor. He was fined $200. Another who was caught littering and spitting at Wheelock Place was fined $350. Also a 20 year old fella. It was a 'valuable' lesson for him as the fined amount is equivalent to half his salary.

As much as I'm happy that undercover agents are now more agressive at catching these bugs & people may think twice before allowing the litter to slip by their hands, I still believe that education is way to go. There has to be that sense of ownership.

We pride ourselves to be a clean & green country yet why are we taking such measures to nab those litterbugs? Why are we still seeing litters everywhere despite having so many dustbins around? & why are there always news report of the amount of rubbish that's left behind after each countdown celebrations? Where do these litters come from? Are they all being 'accidently slipped' from our hands?

If you notice, espcially at Orchard Road, every 10-15 steps you'll find a litter bin. Are we being too pampered so much so that if we can't find a bin nearby, we can simply litter as we wish? Since noone is watching.

If people in Japan can hold on to their litter until they find a bin or when they reach home, why can't Singaporeans do likewise?

I've tried to instil this habit to my cousins when they are young. I've also picked up litters & threw them into the bins. But now I'm doing it only when it posed as a potential danger to pedestrians cos there 'is' simply 'too much' litter around (to the extent that it has become uncountable). I've also shown my 'dispproval look' - ensuring that the litterbugs saw me shaking my head when I saw them spit or litter (& especially smoking in the lift) & had even told some of them off, which my husband always tells me not to overdo it else I might get punched someday. But what I hope is they'll feel embarrassed/ashamed & at least reconsider before they throw that piece of rubbish the next time.

So, are we empowered to report these litterbugs?

Read another article that talks about pets not being welcomed in most places here in Singapore & surprisingly, the zoo & most of the parks like Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Labrador Park etc. Reasons: Prevent the spread of diseases for the zoo & fear of destroying the flora and fauna of the parks.

My husband was telling me perhaps should ban humans to these nature places too since we would pose a threat to the flora & fauna of the place cos we litter, stepped on the grass, picked the flowers, kill the ants if they went onto our picnic mats...& I won't be surprised to find some human poos or wee wee there.

My colleague was sharing with my how her niece was taught not to litter in school & was glad that this sense of social responsibility has been instilled in her. She was saying it could take a generation to see the change & I hope too, the younger generation, being now more in tuned to environment issues, would have more sense of ownership & will pass it down to the next generation.

As for those who will only litter when they make sure noone is looking or won't get caught, please continue to do so & contribute to the economy. The cleaning companies & foreign workers need you people to ensure they have a job. & if you do get caught one day, well, I might get to see you one day at East Coast Park wearing the bright green uniform, doing CWO.

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