The Straits Times launched its 'Goodness Gracious Me!' movement last month at five Kopitiam food courts to encourage diners to clear their trays in consideration of the next person. It has since expanded to take in canteens at a school, an industrial estate and a hospital.

A previous trial by the agency in 2003 at the same location was unsuccessful. Diners cited inconvenience due to the return racks being too far away and the 'ick-factor' in clearing their dirty plates, said the NEA, in a survey conducted after the six-month trial.

Now it has decided the time is right to resume the campaign.

The tables will be pasted with posters from the Straits Times campaign reminding patrons to return their used trays.

The agency will install at least eight tray-return racks throughout the 32-stall hawker centre. In 2003, it had only four.

Equipping the food centre with racks and other items will cost about $10,000. The organisers hope the move will improve work flow for cleaners - all of whom will continue to be employed - and reduce the waiting time for a table.

Singapore Kindness Movement chairman Koh Poh Tiong said that having the facilities put in place was a first step.

'We have made some small, steady steps but there is certainly much more ground to cover. People have to be convinced that a change in attitude and behaviour is the key to a more gracious society,' he added.

The organisation plans to recruit student volunteers from junior colleges, polytechnics and universities to encourage diners to clear their trays during the first week of the launch.

Mr Koh added that small acts of consideration could lead to bigger changes.

He said: 'Over time, such consideration should spill over to the other parts of life and graciousness should hopefully become second nature to everyone.'

Zion Road Hawker Centre cleaner Wan Sow Kheng, 46, hopes the habit will catch on.

'I would be happy if people cleared their trays because it would help me a lot. I sometimes have to walk from one end of the hawker centre to the other just to clear a single plate. When you do it many times a day, it can be exhausting,' she said.

One positive customer was 43-year-old K.B. Toh, who works in sales. 'The whole thing might take time as people need to get used to the idea,' he said.

'But if people start doing it, others will follow suit when they realise it is what's expected of them.'

NEA plans to expand the effort to more hawker centres early next year.

kimspyke@sph.com.sg