Foodcourts and fast-food joints such as Kopitiam and KFC join campaign
By Melissa Pang, The Straits Times, 20 May 2013
By Melissa Pang, The Straits Times, 20 May 2013
DINERS can soon expect to see more tray-return stations at most of Singapore's foodcourts, after more than 500 food outlets joined islandwide efforts to encourage people to return their trays.
The National Environment Agency yesterday announced that it has partnered 17 major foodcourt and fast-food operators for the first time in its campaign to inculcate social graciousness among diners.
The 17, which committed to implementing tray-return systems in all their outlets, include foodcourt operators Kopitiam, Food Junction and Koufu, as well as fast-food chains McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Subway.
Altogether, they represent some 70 per cent of foodcourts and 90 per cent of fast-food outlets in Singapore.
A "tray-return partner" decal pasted at the storefront of these outlets will identify them as being part of the campaign, and encourage patrons to return their trays.
A working group has also been formed to come up with more ideas, with more details expected in a few months' time.
Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu, who was the guest of honour at yesterday's event at HDB Hub Mall in Toa Payoh, said these popular eateries present an opportunity to influence Singaporeans' behaviour.
The tray-return initiative, which was piloted at nine hawker centres last year, has had encouraging results so far.
Up to seven in 10 diners have been returning their trays since last November. Ms Fu said the agency is also looking into why the rest do not.
"Most importantly also is to get feedback from patrons, cleaners and stallholders, on how we can improve the processes, because obviously, we are trying to put in some infrastructure to deal with this new initiative," she added. "We're bound to need some time for improvements."From July, the tray-return movement will be expanded to the rest of the 100-plus hawker centres in Singapore.
But while the scale of the latest campaign is unprecedented, this is not the first time people are being asked to clear their own trays. There were similar efforts - though on a smaller scale - in 2003, 2008 and 2010.Kopitiam's director of operations Yip Keng Soon said previous attempts met with poor response, with only about one in 10 customers returning trays. With plans to build tray-return stations at more eateries, he hopes the latest campaign will be different.
At Koufu's Gourmet Paradise foodcourt in Toa Payoh, tray-return stations that were put in place a few days ago have led to more patrons returning trays. It has eased the workload of cleaners, especially during lunchtime.
This latest campaign also comes amid a shortage of cleaners in the industry. "As the tables get cleared faster, customers also get more clean tables," said cleaning supervisor Xie Shi Xia.
The foodcourt also has signs at every table, reminding customers to clear their own trays. Civil servant Yvonne Lim, 28, said more of such reminders would be useful.
"To be very frank, I don't return my own trays unless I see a sign and am reminded of it. I used to do it in school out of habit, and because there were signs everywhere," she said.
At McDonald's, where the tray-return practice has always been encouraged, staff now thank customers who do so, said managing director Phyllis Cheung.
She said: "Positive reinforcement - it's like parenting. If customers get recognition, they will be encouraged and will continue to do that."