Singapore Visitors and Tourists: What is the Tray Return Policy?
September 1, 2021, first day of the implementation of the Tray Return Policy.
Back in May 2021, the National Environment Agency (NEA) formally announced that it is reviewing its approach to ensure table cleanliness at public dining places. This means that diners are required to clear their tables of dirty trays, crockery and litter after their meals, starting in hawker centres, coffee shops, and food courts.
The NEA initiative supports the need for everyone in Singapore to maintain high public hygiene and cleanliness standards - a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, September 1, 2021, is the official effective date of enforcement in hawker centers. Violators who do not comply with the advice to clear up after their using public dining tables will be fined. Violators may expect penalties ranging from a written warning to a potential $300 to $2000 composition fine.
Tray Return Policy Implementation Roadmap
The Singapore Food Agency is working in close collaboration with the NEA to roll out enforcement progressively at coffee shops and food courts in the remaining months of 2021. The full implementation of the three (3) shop types - hawker centres, food courts, and coffee shops, will start in January 2022.
