Stop use of styrofoam boxes for takeaways

I refer to the report “Public sector’s green effort prioritises single-use items”. (Dec 16). It would be better to consider a ban on the use of single-use styrofoam boxes for storing hot cooked food, which is the practice for takeaways.

Styrofoam containers are made of styrene monomers, and residues of this material can get into the food in the containers.

This can be detrimental to one’s health and well-being in the long term. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organisation, reclassified styrene as a “probable carcinogen” in 2018.

Let’s use safer alternatives such as recyclable metal containers for takeaway food.

Edmund Lim Wee Kiat

Keep toilets clean by design

When it comes to preserving the cleanliness of public toilets (Keeping public toilets clean a collective responsibility, Dec 13), it is often their design and serviceability that hamper civic-mindedness.

Faulty taps, broken toilet flushes, lack of toilet paper and poor ventilation are some of the common issues found in toilets located at places such as older coffee shops.

They indirectly promote poor user behaviour. If toilets are already wet and dirty, there is little users can do to remedy the situation, and little incentive for them to not compound the problem.

Start with the fundamentals of good design, such as graded floors to drain water, and proper ventilation with good lighting. If the environments are pleasant, users’ behaviour will follow.

Paul Chan Poh Hoi