Tampines resident reports cases of high-rise littering including soiled diapers & blood-stained pads

For about three years, residents and passers-by at Block 499C Tampines Avenue 9 have allegedly been keeping an eye out for blood-stained sanitary pads, soiled diapers and even glass bottles being littered from above.

Blood-stained sanitary pads

Speaking to Mothership, one resident, Edwin Tan, shared that the high-rise littering has been going on for two to three years without improvement.

While he did not know which resident was littering, he had seen for himself items being thrown from the block.

The litter would end up near the landing of a ramp and staircase at the foot of Block 499C.

So far, the litter have included soiled diapers, trash, mattresses, floor mats, tissues and even glass bottles.

"Previously, the glass bottle shattered all along the pathway," Tan recalled.

There had also been blood-stained sanitary pads thrown from the building, which Tan pointed out was "highly unhygienic".

Frequently-used path

Photos taken by Tan on Oct. 9 showed what appears to be two rugs and a black trash bag sitting at the landing.

There also appear to be other pieces of litter around the area.

Tan shared that he had previously reported the matter to the town council via the OneService app.

According to Tan, neighbours have also made a police report.

"It's part of my family's daily routine to walk via that pathway, and it is very dangerous as we wouldn't be able to know when items will be thrown down the building," he added.

He opined that fellow residents would also feel the same way about the situation, and added that he had not heard back from the authorities.

Reminders served to residents: MND and NEA

Responding to queries from Mothership, spokespersons from the Ministry of National Development (MND) and National Environmental Agency (NEA) said that the Municipal Services Office (MSO) and NEA have served advisories to remind residents from the relevant units at the block not to commit the offence of high-rise littering.

"MSO and NEA will continue to work closely with stakeholders, including Tampines Town Council, to educate the public, detect instances of high-rise littering, and enforce against offenders. This includes continuing to conduct site inspections, issuing advisories and fines," the spokespersons said.

They also reminded residents that littering from residential flats is a serious offence as it poses a danger to the public, dirties the environment, and threatens public hygiene.

Any individual who does so is liable on conviction to a court fine of up to S$2,000 for a first conviction, S$4,000 for a second conviction, and S$10,000 for the third and subsequent convictions.

The court may also impose a corrective work order, requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours.

Mothership has reached out to the town council for comments.

Top image via Edwin Tan