Increase in refuse fees: Penalise sources of disposable packaging

IT WAS reported recently that refuse-collection fees will go up because of the increased amount of refuse to be collected and disposed of.

For landed-property households in several old housing estates which currently pay a monthly fee of $16.50 plus GST, the new rate will be $20 per month plus GST.

This is an increase of 21.2 per cent.

It cannot escape any citizen’s notice that the increased amount of refuse is due largely, if not entirely, to the increased number of food-stalls, restaurants and businesses which provide packaging and containers that are to be discarded after purchase.

Private households produce relatively little refuse to be collected especially when the tenants are away.

The increase of 21.2 per cent is grossly disproportionate to any increase in refuse generated from households.

These increases are also hard on senior citizens who have retired from active work and who are living on their savings or pension.

The authorities concerned should focus their attention on the sources which are responsible for the increase in the production of refuse, and to levy the appropriate fees on them.

With the encouragement to use the humble one-cent coins and with payment of fees through Giro, there is no reason for increases in fees to be rounded to dollar figures, but by the appropriate percentage, which is more equitable.

Source : The Straits Times 10th May 1995

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