Newspaper Review #2

Date: 6th December 208
Title: Visible racks mean easier tray return at food centre
From: The Straits Times, Home Page B1

Summary:
This article expresses the joy of Zion Road centre’s Kopitiam as more and more patrons are returning their food trays to racks after the movement, “Goodness Gracious Me”, is launched by The Straits Times. Because the movement is well-received in five other outlets, Kopitiam will extend the drive to all its 80 food courts soon. It also points out that the National Environment Agency (NEA), which is working with the Singapore Kindness Movement on the current project, will extend the programme to hawker centres and fast-food outlets island wide from next year.

Reflections:
I applaud The Straits Times for launching this movement even though NEA’s own 6 month test here in 2003 failed to get the desired response. Because of this, I believe that more citizens are aware of keeping the food courts clean for the next patron.
As a clean and green city well-know around the world, I feel that Singapore should have this type of movement a long time ago. Although having dirty tables etc. creates job opportunities for the aged and unemployed, as a mordenised first-class country, we should have high-class standards and should never compromise on such things as consideration. So what if we have the nice cleaners to help us? Do we want to be seen as a country which needs to have people cleaning up after us? Seriously, if we lack of consideration and cleanliness (which we are expected to have) as citizens, how can we compare ourselves to other same leveled countries or cities? To me, I feel disgraceful when my friends from other countries commented that Singapore is really clean.
It is really a pity that NEA’s drive in 2003 was a failure, but at least these types of drives are getting a kick-start now. I hope that all Singaporeans can participate actively in the drive and pick up this good habit, like many other schooling kids who place their plates and cutleries in tubs after meals in the canteen.

Posted by Kelly!(: