SMU’s latest Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey, led by SMU Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan and Dr Mathew Mathews, principal research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, found that 91% of respondents reported satisfaction in the cleanliness of public spaces, down from 94% in 2023. Prof Straughan said higher expectations, more waste from increased deliveries and higher manpower costs could be at play, while temperature could also shape perceptions of cleanliness.
Despite the decline, 98.6% agreed that keeping Singapore clean is the responsibility of every individual. Prof Straughan said the results suggested that the messaging around the tray-return law had worked and that there was a shift towards people taking greater ownership of the cleanliness of shared spaces. However, she said more people could be encouraged to give feedback and take proactive action beyond their own behaviour, such as picking up other people's litter. She also suggested that neighbourhood hawker centres and coffee shops could be seen as “community kitchens” that residents have a role in looking after.