Geylang Rd back lane used to dump waste for years

A business owner at 228 Geylang Road said he has been plagued by the issue of improper waste disposal along the back lane near his shop for years, and the waste has attracted pests, such as rats.

While things have improved recently, previous attempts to report the issue have proved futile, with the waste pile-up constantly reappearing.

Long-running issue

The business owner, Teoh, told Mothership he has been running his agarwood business at the Geylang location for five years.

He first started reporting the waste pile-up issue through OneService in 2023.

In recent photographs taken by Teoh at the start of July 2026, cardboard boxes could be seen outside the back entrance of a row of shops.

There were several green waste bins present.

Among the waste was a potted plant, which was filled almost to the brim with stagnant water.

One photo shared by Teoh also showed an upside-down rat lying beside bread crumbs.

Multiple reports made

Teoh said that things were "never properly resolved", and he has submitted more than 20 reports via OneService so far.

Each time he made the report, the waste would be cleared "within one or two days", but it would pile up again soon after.

"We report it again, it gets cleared again, and the same cycle continues," Teoh commented.

He has also reached out to the National Environment Agency (NEA) about three to four times.

He shared that the agency had issued a "warning letter" reminding tenants not to improperly dispose of their waste, but this did little to improve things.

For Teoh, the waste pile-up not only affects public hygiene and health, it also poses a fire hazard as they may obstruct the rear exit and hamper evacuation during an emergency.

According to Teoh, the back lane area is also shared by three grocery shops and two restaurants, so the "small rubbish bins" are not sufficient for the waste generated.

NEA has engaged business owners

Responding to Mothership's queries, NEA said it is aware of the feedback regarding improper waste disposal at the back lane between Lorong 8 and Lorong 10 Geylang near 228 Geylang Road.

The agency said it has conducted inspections and engaged trade premises owners along the stretch, advising them on proper waste disposal and refuse management practices.

It also said that enforcement actions have been taken against errant premises owners.

"NEA is actively monitoring the area and will not hesitate to take further action against those found to have committed offences," the agency said.

NEA also explained that the appointed public waste collector conducts daily waste collection services, and trade premises owners are responsible for ensuring adequate bin capacity to prevent overflow.

They are also responsible for properly disposing of their waste in designated bins.

"For bulky waste, trade premises owners must separately engage licensed waste collectors for proper disposal as it does not fall within the scope of the public waste collector," NEA said.

"NEA urges all premises owners and members of the public to practise proper refuse management and ensure bins are not overflowing, and to refrain from indiscriminate dumping in open areas, so that our shared spaces remain clean and pest-free," the agency advised.

CCTV installed

When Mothership checked in with Teoh on Jul. 28, he said things have improved.

"Recently, no boxes on the floor. But [there's still] some unwanted furniture," he shared.

He also noted that a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera has been installed at the back lane.