Choa Chu Kang resident accidentally throws phone down rubbish chute, town council worker helps retrieve it

A Choa Chu Kang resident accidentally dropped her phone down her block’s rubbish chute but, thanks to a town council worker, was able to retrieve it.

Her daughter, Shalini, later took to TikTok to share the moment the worker found and returned the phone.

Accidentally threw it down the chute

Speaking to Mothership, Shalini said her mother was clearing and disposing of some kitchen items when she accidentally wrapped her phone together with a table cover.

Without realising her phone was inside, she threw the bundle down the rubbish chute.

A few minutes later, she realised her phone was missing and notified Shalini.

She was worried about losing important contacts and photo memories, Shalini said.

Decided to look for help

The mother and daughter went downstairs to look for town council workers for help, but did not see anyone around.

Shalini then found the town council’s contact details on the notice board at the void deck and gave them a call.

"The officer understood my issue and said a worker will arrive in 10 minutes, but he’ll only open the chute. We’ll have to find it ourselves, so we went with gloves just in case," she said.

When the worker arrived, he opened the chute and pulled out the basket.

Luckily, the chute served only two residential units, one of which was theirs.

"We found the table cover just on top and the worker helped to open it up and got the phone for us," Shalini said.

Thankful

Shalini said they were grateful and touched by the worker, as this part of his job was "not a pleasant one".

"My mom was very touched with his kind demeanour, he barely spoke but was all smiles while helping," she said.

In the video, her mother was seen taking a selfie with the worker after he retrieved her phone.

They also gave him a small monetary gift as a token of appreciation, which he accepted after they insisted.

Shalini also wrote a compliment to the Town Council, accompanied by the picture her mother took with the worker.

Commenting on how her video had gained attention online, Shalini said: "I’m sure he’d be so delighted and happy that he played a significant part both in our society and people’s lives. Thanks to him and fellow such workers who don’t get much but contribute greatly to our country."