The reasons why you would not return trays at hawker centres?

[A Singaporean]

Poor Sia Suay Sinkies should be banned from patronising hawker centres. Ramesh and his foreign friends are not happy seeing them there.

 

[CPTMiller]

Sinkies need to learn to not eat like pigs. Keep the table and tray as clean as possible, so that clean up is quick and easy.

Fine sinkies make them very afraid.
Sinkies must Listen to your leaders

 

[batman1]

Fine sinkies make them very afraid.
Sinkies must Listen to your leaders

Sinkees afraid of Tray Return Captain.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

More than 70 warnings issued since stricter rules on tray return kicked in on June 1​

NEA and SFA observed that the “vast majority” of diners take the initiative to remove table litter and return their trays and crockery. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

June 9, 2023


SINGAPORE – A total of 73 written warnings were issued from June 1 to 7 after the authorities stepped up enforcement against those who do not return their used trays and crockery at hawker centres, foodcourts and coffee shops.
This figure excludes one issued written warning that was subsequently withdrawn, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a joint release on Friday evening.
“In the past week, daily enforcement operations were undertaken at 95 hawker centres and 120 coffee shops/foodcourts,” said the agencies, adding that they had observed that the “vast majority” of diners took the initiative to remove table litter and return their trays and crockery.
Those issued a written warning were observed by enforcement officers to be physically able to clear their tables.
The agencies reiterated that that enforcement will not be taken against those who are observed to be unable to clear their tables, such as the frail andthe elderly, or children. In such instances, family members or dining companions, if present, should help with the clearing of the tables, they said.
NEA and SFA enforcement officers will record the particulars of diners who do not return their used trays, crockery and other litter, instead of first reminding them to do so before issuing a written warning for non-compliance, which was the practice before June 1.
The agencies also reminded diners not to leave behind any litter on the table, such as used tissues, drink cans, shells and bones. Such litter can be placed together with the trays and used crockery to be returned.

“While cleaners will wipe the tables after use, we do encourage diners to keep the tables clean as much as possible, especially during peak periods,” said the agencies.
“We thank the vast majority of diners who have displayed social graciousness at our hawker centres, coffee shops and foodcourts. We also urge the public to cooperate with enforcement officers if approached.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Diner in viral video gets warning for not clearing glass, drink can from hawker centre table: NEA​

Patrons of Singapore’s hawker centre, coffee shop and foodcourts are required by law to return their used trays and crockery. PHOTO: ST FILE
Christie Chiu

Oct 17, 2023

SINGAPORE – National Environment Agency (NEA) enforcement officers have issued a warning to a diner at Tekka Market and Hawker Centre because he did not clear his glass and drink can when he left the table.
The clarification by the agency comes after a video was posted on TikTok last Friday of the diner confronting two NEA officers who told him to clean his table.
Patrons of Singapore’s hawker centre, coffee shop and foodcourts are required by law to return their used trays and crockery.
The video posted by user @khuranasahib_pb04 has amassed more than 320,000 views and been reposted on multiple social media platforms.
In the video, the diner can be heard asking the officers: “You’re saying to me if I dirty the table, I’m supposed to wipe the table?”
One officer replies that the diner is supposed to clean the table before he leaves.
The dispute continues as the three argue over what the definition of “cleaning” the table is, with the diner saying that it is his duty to return his tray, crockery and utensils but not wipe the table down.

The 1min 35sec video ends with the officers insisting that the diner must wipe the table if he had dirtied it while eating. The diner then thanks the officers for the clarification.
The video raised heated debates online about whether it is fair to expect hawker centre patrons to clean their tables on top of returning their trays.




One netizen asked what would happen to diners who did not have tissue paper to clean the table.
Another said: “What if the table was dirty in the first place?”
On Tuesday, NEA said in a Facebook post it was aware of the video being circulated online and encouraged diners to “keep the table clean as a gesture of courtesy to the next diner”.
“While diners are not required to wipe the tables after use, we would like to remind diners that no one should leave behind any litter on or around the tables. These include tissues, wet wipes, drink cans, shells and bones,” it said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

New rules? Toa Payoh coffee shop cleaner allegedly scolded diner for not returning cup properly​

The tray return station at 28 Super Coffee Shop in Toa Payoh.
PHOTO: Facebook/Jeslyn Leong, AsiaOne

PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 25, 2024
ByLIM KEWEI

It is expected for diners to return their trays and crockery after their meal at a coffee shop or food court.
But one woman was left frustrated after a coffee shop cleaner allegedly shouted at her for not placing her cup at a specific return area.
Taking to Facebook page Complaint Singapore last Sunday (Jan 21), diner Jeslyn Leong shared that the cleaner at a Toa Payoh coffee shop had "created" a rule where used cups must be returned to a specific area.
"I tried to leave it at the tray return area but he shouted at me," she wrote, adding that she paid no heed to the latter's demands.
"The National Environment Agency implemented the tray return policy and we followed accordingly. But the cleaner abused the system."
The diner elaborated in the comments that while she agrees the job of a cleaner is not easy, the cleaner had reportedly treated her in a "very rude" manner.
Believing that a tray left behind by a previous diner belonged to Leong, the cleaner had also allegedly shouted at the woman to return the tray.
"This cleaner is very rude! I have eaten there multiple times but he always shouts at customers," commented a netizen.
AsiaOne also found a recent Google review deeming the cleaner in charge of the tray return station as "super rude". It is unclear if the reviewer is referring to the same cleaner who had allegedly shouted at Leong.
AsiaOne has reached out to Leong for more information.

Cleaner counselled, being monitored daily​

When AsiaOne visited the Super 28 coffee shop at Toa Payoh Central on Wednesday afternoon, the abovementioned cleaner was not working. Diners were observed placing dirty cups and dishes together on the tray return station.
A coffee shop staff candidly shared with AsiaOne that the cleaner has been working for less than a year and is known to have a bad temper.
While the staff said she was not present at the time of the confrontation, she believes that the cleaner might have impatiently tapped on the station to gesture to where diners should place dirty cups.
Speaking to AsiaOne, a coffee shop supervisor there, who only wanted to be known as Ayuni, said that the cleaner had previously wanted to resign but was persuaded to stay.
She added that she had explained the situation to the cleaner and is now monitoring his performance every day.
Ayuni also told Shin Min Daily News that another diner had complained about a similar incident around two months ago.
To prevent misunderstandings, the supervisor said she has advised the cleaner to minimise his conversations with diners.

 

[JohnTan]

What happens when I clear the table and return the utensils and trays?
When I eat, some food, soup or gravy may spill onto the table.
When there are bones, I put the bones on the table. Even if I put the bones back into the bowls when I clear my table, the table is already dirtied.
There is also water condensation from cold drinks that fall onto the table.
The NEA is expecting all patrons to use tissues to wipe the table but this is a naive expectation.
Not all patrons carry tissue, and not all patrons see it as their responsibility to wipe the table.
Yes, they can clear the table but will not wipe the table.
From far, the table looks clean to the cleaners, and they will not come over to wipe the table.
But the table is still dirty and the next patrons cannot occupy the table, or have to take out tissues to clean the table.
It is better to leave a clean table for the next patrons.
And the way to do it is to leave the table uncleared, have the cleaners come over and clear the table as well as wipe the table.
The patrons do not have to put up with the hassles of clearing their own tables, more cleaners are employed, and the table is cleaned for the next patrons.


Forum: Over a third refuse to return trays, clear used tissues at hawker centres

We thank Ms Susan Tan Lin Neo for her feedback (Dangers of bad habits at hawker centres not taken seriously, Aug 13).

We agree with her that patrons at hawker centres must clear their own trays and used tissues. As used tissues or wet wipes can be contaminated, they pose a risk to others who touch them directly, or the surfaces they were in contact with.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) urges the public to properly dispose of their used tissues and wet wipes to keep the dining tables clean for the next user, and minimise the risk of disease transmission to cleaners and other diners.

Ms Tan is also right in stating that leaving table-clearing to cleaners is the wrong mindset to have. We still hear the occasional comment that clearing one's litter or tray would deprive cleaners of their jobs.

This is a misconception, and an excuse that a minority of diners use for not cleaning up after themselves.

Cleaners will still have other cleaning tasks to perform at the tray return points or centralised dishwashing stations.

In fact, leaving trays and soiled tissues behind makes their cleaning jobs more difficult. Thankfully, the majority of those who frequent hawker centres understand the important roles played by cleaners as essential workers in safeguarding public health, and do their part to keep Singapore clean.

The NEA has been deploying SG Clean Ambassadors to hawker centres since June 19 to advise patrons to return their trays and used crockery, and to properly dispose of their used tissues or wet wipes. Disappointingly, only about 60 per cent of diners comply when advised by our ambassadors.

The average tray return rate at new hawker centres with automated tray return and centralised dishwashing facilities, as well as a few existing hawker centres with manual tray return racks, is currently above 60 per cent, compared with around 30 per cent for most other hawker centres across the island.

The locations of the centres with good tray return rates are well spread out geographically.

This shows that more can be done to improve tray return rates, and all of us can play a part starting with the hawker centre that we patronise.

We urge everyone to work with the NEA to take greater ownership of our hawker centres, to help maintain the clean and hygienic environment of our community dining rooms.

Andrew Low
Director, Hawker Centres Division
National Environment Agency

My reason is because I don't eat at hawker centres. It's for low SES people.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Tray return works, but don’t neglect dirty tables​

Jun 24, 2025

I commend the success of the tray return policy – many diners are now returning their trays, and it is encouraging to see such widespread public support.

However, an unintended consequence has emerged. With fewer cleaners making the rounds, tables are often left dirty after diners leave. Food remnants, spills and stains are increasingly common, especially during peak hours. This not only affects the dining experience but also raises hygiene concerns as insects and birds are attracted.

While the policy promotes personal responsibility, it would be helpful to remind operators to supervise and ensure tables are clean. Maintaining a hygienic and pleasant environment is essential to the long-term success of this initiative.


For the policy to work as intended, it requires a shared effort – from diners, operators and cleaners alike.

James Ng

 

[True Believer]

I had the misfortune to share a table at Ghim Moh Hawker Centre with an entitled elderly woman last month, who acted blur by walking away w/o returning her tray which held a mee pok dry, smaller bowl of soup and a cup of almost finished coffee. In the end, I had to clear her tray as well as my own, since the group of 4 who wanted my table, presumed I must have eaten from both trays.

 

[myfoot123]

Sinkies need to learn to not eat like pigs. Keep the table and tray as clean as possible, so that clean up is quick and easy.

What makes you think Sinkieland is a first world nation? Pinky Loong has, for the past 14 years, reversed the work of his Daddy.

 

[True Believer]

At this rate, our CEOs will lose their jobs.

 

[myfoot123]

When you're seeking for a clean table for your next meal, the vicious cycle of not returning the tray will catch up with you. Don't be unkind to cleaners, our garment already treated them badly, you want to add salt to their wounds meh?

 

[tobelightlight]

When you're seeking for a clean table for your next meal, the vicious cycle of not returning the tray will catch up with you. Don't be unkind to cleaners, our garment already treated them badly, you want to add salt to their wounds meh?

I am not responsible for how the govt treat them. The govt should do some self reflection on why they behave like this to the cleaners and not us giving way for them treat them badly.

Once I handed my plate to the cleaner,he told me to put on the tray return i just it on the table and left. He stand there like a dumbfuck.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Ensure hawker centres are clean and not just cleared of trays​

Sep 09, 2025

I have long been a strong proponent of the “clear your own tray” initiative in our hawker centres, and I continue to stand by it. Cultivating this habit is good for personal responsibility and for keeping shared spaces clean.

When the initiative was introduced, some critics argued that if diners cleared their trays, cleaners would lose their jobs. Minister Grace Fu, who championed the initiative at the time, assured the public that cleaners would not be displaced but redeployed to focus on cleaning tables and other tasks.

Since its full implementation in 2021, I have observed that most Singaporeans now clear their trays instinctively. Yet why do hawker centres still appear unclean? While trays are returned, many tables remain dirty after use.


In the past, cleaners would move around clearing trays and wiping tables. Today, however, many appear stationed almost exclusively at tray return points, and it is rare to see staff going around to clean tables.

This raises the question of whether manpower has been reduced since the initiative began. Could the critics have been correct after all that the move would result in an overall lack of cleaners?

During peak hours, even the tray stations seem understaffed, with cleaners struggling to keep up. The result is a dining environment that feels no cleaner than before.

From my observations downtown, the worst offender is Chinatown Complex, where tables often remain sticky and dirty even after trays are cleared. Maxwell Food Centre is somewhat in the middle, a little better than Chinatown but still far from ideal.

The exception seems to be Tiong Bahru Market, which remains one of the cleanest hawker centres around, suggesting that higher standards are possible if operations are managed well.

The tray-clearing initiative was meant to raise standards, not lower them. If manpower has indeed been reduced, then the original assurance given to the public must be revisited.

Singaporeans have done their part by clearing trays. It is now time for the relevant agencies and operators to do theirs to ensure our hawker centres are truly clean, not just cleared of trays.

Justin Kan Rui Liang

 

[bigozt]

A friend was at Westfields mall food court in west London. He tried to return tray but the east Euro aunties said no. Leave it on the table. They will collect in efficient and organized manner for better sorting of utensils, food disposal and recycling at their station. When you pay £20 per hour, people work with pride.

 

[True Believer]

Poor Sia Suay Sinkies should be banned from patronising hawker centres. Ramesh and his foreign friends are not happy seeing them there.

Ramesh eats using his hands and will simply place his tray under the table when he is done. CECAs are good at concealing their misdeeds.

 

[50000]

Forum: Ensure hawker centres are clean and not just cleared of trays​

Sep 09, 2025

I have long been a strong proponent of the “clear your own tray” initiative in our hawker centres, and I continue to stand by it. Cultivating this habit is good for personal responsibility and for keeping shared spaces clean.

When the initiative was introduced, some critics argued that if diners cleared their trays, cleaners would lose their jobs. Minister Grace Fu, who championed the initiative at the time, assured the public that cleaners would not be displaced but redeployed to focus on cleaning tables and other tasks.

Since its full implementation in 2021, I have observed that most Singaporeans now clear their trays instinctively. Yet why do hawker centres still appear unclean? While trays are returned, many tables remain dirty after use.


In the past, cleaners would move around clearing trays and wiping tables. Today, however, many appear stationed almost exclusively at tray return points, and it is rare to see staff going around to clean tables.

This raises the question of whether manpower has been reduced since the initiative began. Could the critics have been correct after all that the move would result in an overall lack of cleaners?

During peak hours, even the tray stations seem understaffed, with cleaners struggling to keep up. The result is a dining environment that feels no cleaner than before.

From my observations downtown, the worst offender is Chinatown Complex, where tables often remain sticky and dirty even after trays are cleared. Maxwell Food Centre is somewhat in the middle, a little better than Chinatown but still far from ideal.

The exception seems to be Tiong Bahru Market, which remains one of the cleanest hawker centres around, suggesting that higher standards are possible if operations are managed well.

The tray-clearing initiative was meant to raise standards, not lower them. If manpower has indeed been reduced, then the original assurance given to the public must be revisited.

Singaporeans have done their part by clearing trays. It is now time for the relevant agencies and operators to do theirs to ensure our hawker centres are truly clean, not just cleared of trays.

Justin Kan Rui Liang

Now you know.... the clear your tray initiative was not an effort for cleaniness, it was so that the operators can cut costs and make profits

 

[True Believer]

Now you know.... the clear your tray initiative was not an effort for cleaniness, it was so that the operators can cut costs and make profits

Many of these operators are probably grassroots leaders/volunteers.