SINGAPORE - Those who fail to return their used trays and crockery at foodcourts, hawker centres and coffee shops will face tougher action from the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Food Agency from Thursday.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. What action will be taken against offenders?

A: First-time offenders will be given written warnings, while repeat offenders will be issued fines or charged in court, the agencies said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the NEA website, those who are caught a second time will face a composition fine of $300. Subsequent offenders may face court fines.

2. What if you clear your tray and used crockery but leave behind tissues, empty drink cans or food scraps on the table?

A: Litter should not be left behind in any public place, except in a dustbin or other receptacle provided for refuse and rubbish. Litter includes used tissues, wet wipes, drink cans, shells and bones.

3. Will action be taken against the elderly, the less-abled or children under 12 for table littering?

A: Enforcement will not be taken against the frail elderly or less-abled, or children who are clearly unable to clear their tables.

Family members or dining companions should help to dispose of the litter and return the trays and used crockery.

4. What if the cleaner insists on clearing the table for diners?

A: In such situations, diners can let the cleaners clear the table.

Cleaning contractors and cleaners have been briefed on the “self-service concept” and table-cleaning workflow.

Thus, diners are urged to take the initiative in keeping their tables clean and returning trays and used crockery.

5. Are diners expected to remove trays, used crockery and litter left behind by the previous diner?

A: Cleaners will assist in removing trays, used crockery and litter left behind by a previous diner.

6. What if an enforcement officer requests our particulars but we do not have them on hand?

A: Various types of photo identification are accepted for verification, including the digital NRIC in the Singpass app.

If the offender does not have any valid particulars on hand, the officer will seek the assistance of the police to verify his identity.

7. What if we step away from the table to get a drink with the intention of coming back to return our trays and crockery, but enforcement officers accuse us of littering?

A: If they have assessed that a diner had indeed stepped away from the table to get a drink with the intention of coming back to return his tray, the officers will ask the diner to clear the used tray and crockery before going to buy the drink. No enforcement action will be taken.

8. What if we are unable to return trays as the tray return rack is full?

A: No enforcement will be taken against diners leaving trays and crockery near the tray return station in such situations.