Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on High-rise Littering

Question:

To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how does the National Environment Agency enforce penalties or interventions against repeated high-rise littering offences; and (b) what are the measures taken against suspects who refuse to cooperate with NEA investigations.

Answer:

1. The National Environment Agency (NEA) works with Town Councils to issue advisories to residents of the block concerned when feedback on high-rise littering at a particular block is first received. Should high-rise littering persist, NEA would take further steps to determine the likely offending unit, including by deploying surveillance cameras, if feasible, to capture violations.

2. The statutory presumption provision on littering from residential flats, introduced from 1 July 2023, has placed greater onus on flat owners and tenants to prevent acts of high-rise littering. It also ensures that investigations and effective enforcement are not inhibited by uncooperative behaviour. Any individual convicted of high-rise littering is liable to a fine of up to $2,000 for a first conviction. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $4,000 for a second conviction and up to $10,000 for third and subsequent convictions. The court may also impose a Corrective Work Order, requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours.

3. Each case of a repeat offence is assessed individually and NEA will take into account any valid mitigating factors. For example, where mental health conditions may be a contributing factor, enforcement alone may not resolve the issue. In such cases, NEA works closely with stakeholders such as the grassroots leaders and family members to provide appropriate support and implement preventive measures, such as the installation of wire mesh across window grilles to prevent future incidents.