PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ON THE RISE
Despite the overall decline, 98.6 per cent of respondents agreed that keeping Singapore clean is the responsibility of every individual.
Among those who disposed of rubbish properly, 71.3 per cent cited a sense of personal responsibility, up from 65.2 per cent in 2023, while 53.6 per cent cited caring for the environment, up from 48.1 per cent. Fewer respondents cited external motivations such as the risk of fines or embarrassment.
A similar pattern held for tray return: 95.5 per cent said they always returned their trays and crockery, edging up from 95 per cent in 2023, while the proportion who viewed individual patrons as primarily responsible for the practice rose from 79.9 per cent to 83.3 per cent. Social responsibility remained the most common reason cited, at 77.7 per cent.
The study said the findings were observed despite slight declines in awareness, support and perceived effectiveness of anti-littering enforcement measures.
“This may suggest that behaviours such as tray return and proper disposal of litter are increasingly becoming socially expected behaviours rather than actions motivated primarily by fear of enforcement,” the study said, adding that campaigns and enforcement over the years may have helped such norms take hold.
Enforcement of tray and crockery return began in phases from September 2021 and was stepped up in June 2023, when first-time offenders were issued written warnings while repeat offenders could be fined or charged in court.
Read Full Article At Source
