Biggest park litterbugs
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Apr 28, 2010 - The Straits Times
Biggest park litterbugs
TEENAGE boys and men aged from 17 to 29 are the biggest culprits when it comes to littering in parks - they make up 44 per cent of those fined last year for thoughtless disposal of rubbish.
Men aged 30 to 40 are the next most guilty group, accounting for 28 per cent of offenders. On the whole, men exceeded women by far in summonses for littering: Of the $2 million dished out in fines last year, 85 per cent was levied on men.
Altogether, 8,300 fines were meted out last year, nearly twice the 4,500 in the previous year. National Parks Board (NParks) director Nigel Goh said the jump came from a step-up in enforcement, not a worsening of the littering problem.
The statistics from NParks, the custodian of the more than 50 parks and four nature reserves here, are the result of a study that for the first time examined littering culprits by gender and age.
Dr Goh said: 'It's not older people who are less educated who are littering; it's actually the young people. We are not sure why they are littering more.'
Mr Howard Shaw, director of the Singapore Environment Council, said: 'Cigarettes are a large part of litter and that's probably why the statistics point to young men... A cigarette butt is not something you put in your pocket, and its small size makes it likely that people would drop it on the ground instead of carrying it to a bin.'
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cigarette bugs.
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Rats running around.
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May 3, 2010 - ST Forum
Tough action only way to curb litterbugs
THE number of fines last year for littering, almost double that of the previous year, is a poignant reminder that years of campaign have not brought about a change for the better ('Young males are the biggest park litterbugs'; last Thursday).
Reminders, campaigns, fliers and even reports in the media have not resulted in a cleaner environment. Unless tough enforcement is implemented, we will not see an improvement in the overall situation.
Start where it hurts most - the pocket. Double the fine, double the time allocated for corrective work orders and compulsory attendance at anti-littering classes. Corrective work orders must be carried out not only in beaches and parks, but also in the block and estate where the offenders live.
As cigarette butts form a large part of the litter in parks and beaches, smoking should be banned in these areas. This will ensure cleaner air for all.
Let us all work together to bring down the numbers.
Bennie Cheok