Food outlets with highly visible tray-return stations are doing better
By
Kimberly Spykerman
and
Yeo Sam Jo
A recent check at the Zion Road hawker centre showed that in a space of 15 minutes, over 20 people returned their trays. Many cited the convenience of the tray-return stations as a factor. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM
SINCE The Straits Times' 'Goodness Gracious Me!' project kicked off in October last year, has its message begun to sink in?
The drive, which gets diners to clear their trays as an act of consideration towards fellow diners, first made its home in five Kopitiam outlets, and has mushroomed since.
It has now spread to 24 food outlets and hawker centres, including the Zion Road hawker centre last December.
So with posters, decals and even tray-return stations in place, what does it take to get Singaporeans to return their trays?
THE LITMUS TEST
JOURNALISTS did a broad sweep of four locations involved in the campaign, during lunch and dinner time.
In the space of two hours, they counted the number of people who returned their trays, taking into consideration the proximity of the tray-return stations from where they sat.
The overall result showed a general improvement across the board. However, diners responded best when the tray-return stations were close by and easy to spot.
THE RESULTS
Good Zion Road hawker centre
THIS food centre showed the greatest leap in the number of patrons who took the effort to return their trays.
The hawker centre has been decked out with the campaign's posters - one on each table as a reminder to diners. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has also put in place eight tray-return stations at convenient locations throughout the hawker centre to encourage the habit.
In a space of 15 minutes, more than 20 people returned their trays.
Those who returned their trays tended to be those who dined alone or in pairs. They were also likely to be sitting in clear view of the tray-return stations.
The hawker centre boasts a steady 30 per cent of patrons who bus their own trays without any reminders, a far cry from the days before it adopted the campaign, when almost all did not.
Many cited the convenience of the tray-return stations as a factor.
Said Ms Wendy Ng, 56, an administrative officer, who was spotted returning her tray: 'We should participate since the facilities are already in place for us. The racks are easily available so I just make sure I don't remove my plates from the tray. That way, it's quick and easy to put in.'
Average Kopitiam at Plaza Singapura
Fewer than 10 people returned their trays at this location, although a number of them appeared to be aware of the 'Goodness Gracious Me!' campaign.
Plaza Singapura has two tray-return points situated at each end of the foodcourt.
Madam Chng Chee Khin, 40, a housewife, was eating lunch with her family and had no qualms about making them bus their own trays. She said: 'People think they don't have to do it because of the cleaners. But I disagree. The younger generation will grow up thinking it can be taken for granted.'
Professor Chia Kok Hoong, 48, a senior consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, felt that clearing the tray should be second nature: 'It's like walking your dog and having plastic bags to pick up their poo. When you use the toilet you also have to flush after yourself; it's the same!'
However, some diners said that cleaners moved in so fast that they did not have to clear their trays.
Kopitiam at Bukit Panjang Plaza
THIS foodcourt has three tray-return stations. Here, close to dinner time, fewer than 10 people returned their trays.
Cleaners said they see an average of 15 people each day returning their trays.
Mr Benny Ng, 31, a businessman who took pains to return his tray, said that the campaign served as a reminder for him to be more gracious. Now, he tells his family and friends to do the same when he dines out with them.
He said: 'The tray-return stations are prominent enough. It's just whether people choose to acknowledge them or not.'
Improvement needed Kopitiam at Hougang Mall
EVEN with three tray-return points at this foodcourt, most did not return their trays.
Diner Lin Che-Hsien, 21, a full-time national serviceman, said that people would be more likely to pick up after themselves if they saw others doing so.
'I think this can be a success if the campaign is pushed further. If everyone does it, a momentum develops', he said.
Added cleaner Chew Lai Tai, 41: 'If diners helped, it would be better for us. It gets very busy when there are a lot of people.'
