Littering in Singapore – A Sociological Perspective

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In a study commissioned by the National Environment Agency (NEA), researchers from the Department of Sociology headed by Assoc Prof Paulin Straughan found that increasing the number of bins was the most effective way of reducing littering. The least effective? Banners and signs reminding people not to litter.

The study, which ran from 2009 to 2010, looked at different ways to slash trash in various areas which included town centres, places where foreign workers congregate and at East Coast Park. The findings of the study were published in a book titled “Towards a Cleaner Singapore” which was showcased at the launch of the Clean and Green campaign on 29 October 2011. In addition to the publication, a new anti-littering campaign was developed and launched in 2010 based on the findings and recommendations of the sociological study.

Other than Assoc Prof Straughan, the team of researchers included Assoc Prof Narayanan Ganapathy and Dr Daniel Goh from the Department of Sociology.

Click here to read the coverage of the study in The Sunday Times (29 Oct 2011).

The soft copy of the book can be found here.

Image: Keattikorn

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