Young and senior, from schools and many organisations, and many families, more than 600 residents and participants joined us in the “Keep Clean, Singapore!” operation last month. The litter-picking exercise was carried out over five weekends across Tampines. The turnout is more than double that of last year, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your time and support. We also picked nearly double the amount of trash – 195kg versus 106kg. For many of us who went through the bushes, we knew how much effort it took to retrieve that cigarette butt or drinks pack. And that’s what our cleaners do every day, from the wee hours of the morning before sunrise, to the late evenings. Without our cleaners, our estate – and Singapore for that matter - will not be the clean and green neighbourhood that we take for granted. Some of my friends have remarked that Singapore is a cleaned city, and not a clean city. This is a sobering thought. On top of that, the costs of processing the garbage have risen over the years, as we explore for ways to ensure a safe and clean disposal. On a local level, we cannot afford to keep expanding our cleaning teams. This is simply not sustainable. Everyone has to do his or her part. For residents that keep plants along the corridors, do help to clear the fallen leaves and twigs. For pet owners, picking up after your pets will be very helpful. It is about taking responsibility for our homes. Let’s spare a thought for our cleaners. They are part of our community and they deserve their rest too. Thank You! #cleannotcleaned
