Singapore’s Cleanliness at a Glance
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting lifelong friends in Singapore- a cosmopolitan and multicultural world refined by technology and innovation. However, the most striking part of Singapore was its cleanliness, lack of pollution, and clean air quality. For many cities with comparable scope and population, the aforementioned factors seem elusive.
So what sets Singapore apart?
The answer is pretty simple- the country has a long history of prioritizing hygiene and cleanliness, starting with the original prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who established the Keep Singapore clean campaign. The motivations for this idea were not purely hygienic- Lee Kuan Yew reasoned that reducing waste and litter would positively impact the economy as well.
How?
Littering and commercial waste creates havens for pests like rodents, cockroaches, and worst of all-mosquitos. By preventing the spread of diseases like malaria, the country has seen significant decreases in sickness rates and increases in life expectancy, simultaneously improving economic productivity. In line with these trends, Singapore has seen a tremendous increase in foreign direct investment and an influx of tourism.
All of these positive implications directly stem from a stricter stance on civilian pollution- and a reflection of the improvements our communities are capable of when we adhere to such policies. Singapore is known as the “fine city” for imposing such heavy punishments for littering, something with little consequence in many other countries. Despite this tough reputation, it is clear that these fines have worked- with a minimum payout of $217 dollars per littering offense, it is evident that the method involves using a hefty ramification to dissuade the behavior at its root.
Beyond littering, Singapore also bans durian (an incredibly sticky tropical fruit) on public metros, and fines behaviors like spitting and chewing gum in certain areas. All of this might seem a bit too harsh- but the effects are clear.
In Sentosa Island (about a half hour drive from the city center) lies a tourist haven- complete with gift shops, cable car rides and picturesque photo opportunities. Unlike the downtown and the central business district, Sentosa is ruled by tourists- and specifically during the Christmas season, it is even more pronounced.
Sentosa was the only place in Singapore I saw any littering at all.
This marks a crucial distinction between the Singaporean citizen and an international tourist- many of us are not accustomed to the fines, the consequences, and the attitude towards littering that Singaporeans have. They are taught from a young age to refrain from such activities, unlike the average westerner.
Obviously, advocating for huge fines and banning certain goods in public spaces may seem a little ridiculous- but it’s been incredibly effective in the cleanest city in the world. Fines aren’t the only takeaway from these observations, however- what is more important is early education of the impacts of behaviors like littering. When we foster a better understanding of conservation and resource protection from a young age, we build a brighter future.
