NEA issues 52 warnings, 3 fines over tray return lapses in first half of 2026

The National Environmental Agency (NEA) issued 52 warning letters and three fines in the first half of 2026 to diners who failed to clear their used trays, crockery or litter after meals, said the agency in a press release on Friday (Sept 4).This is a significant drop, compared to the 628 warning letters issued in the first half of 2025, and 2,984 in the first half of 2024.There has also been a decrease in the number of fines from seven in the first half of both 2025 and 2024.The authority has been enforcing against table littering at hawker centres, coffeeshops and food courts since 2021 and 2022, with first-time offenders given a written warning and recidivists issued fines or court charges.NEA said it handed out a total of 814 warning letters and 11 fines for table littering in 2025.Since April 2024, the average tray and crockery return rate at hawker centres has stabilised at a high of 94 per cent.Hawker centres with the highest tray return rates in the first half of 2026 include Fernvale Hawker Centre and Market, Market Street Hawker Centre and Chong Pang Market and Food Centre, according to NEA.