Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey [2019]

• Main Authors: STRAUGHAN, Paulin, MATHEW, Mathews
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2020
• Subjects: Singapore; survey; public cleanliness; transportation; leisure spaces; food outlets; Asian Studies; Place and Environment; Sociology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3231; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/4488/viewcontent/Public_Cleanliness_Satisfaction_Survey__2019__Executive_Summary.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The Singapore Management University undertook the third wave of the Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey (PCSS) with 1716 Singapore resident respondents providing responses before the start of the Circuit Breaker. The 2019 wave of the PCSS continued to reflect the overall satisfaction with public cleanliness in Singapore. Satisfaction with cleanliness and cleaning services has improved substantially across all domains. Ninety three percent of survey respondents were satisfied with the cleanliness of public spaces that they had recently visited, a 9% increase from the findings in 2018. There was a substantial increase in satisfaction with the cleanliness of food and beverage (F&B) outlets with a 25% increase in respondents’ satisfaction with hawker centres compared to a year ago (62% in 2018 vs 87% in 2019). Some of the increase might be attributed to the heightened cleaning efforts as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the overall satisfaction, 23% of respondents noted that the thoroughness of the cleaning in hawker centres and coffee shops was still insufficient. The study also examined public opinion about personal responsibility for public cleanliness. Questions were asked regarding tray returns at F&B outlets, confronting individuals who litter and the maintenance of cleanliness in neighbourhoods. On the returning of trays in F&B establishments, 36% of respondents reported that they were unsure whether trays should be returned. About the same proportion expected cleaners to return the trays instead. Over 90% of respondents were likely to confront family or friends who littered. However, only 22% would confront a stranger on this matter. Just under half of respondents would dispose of an empty plastic bottle lying on the floor into a close by bin. Even fewer would pick up the bottle to dispose it if there was no nearby bin. Majority of survey respondents also expected residents in the neighbourhood to be responsible for the cleanliness of their environment. They believed that residents should help move excess trash to the central bin centre rather than wait for the cleaners to clear it the next morning (81%). Respondents were of the unanimous view that residents who see overflowing trash bins should contact the town council so that cleaners can clear the bins promptly. The results of the survey indicated that there was substantial reliance on cleaning services to ensure the cleanliness of surroundings. In fact, 87% of respondents acknowledged that Singapore is clean only because of the efficiency of its cleaning services. Nonetheless, 99% of respondents also agreed that residents should be encouraged to be involved in the upkeep of their environment. This may be an uphill task given that less than half (46%) of survey respondents indicated that they would volunteer in a neighbourhood group that championed cleanliness matters. Most respondents (96%) agreed that residents must work together with cleaners to keep the neighbourhood clean. In addition to understanding views about public cleanliness, the 2019 wave of the survey also asked about public hygiene. More than 95% of respondents were agreeable to legislation and the enforcement of public hygiene in shared spaces such as childcare centres, eldercare facilities, schools, food establishments and shopping centres. Respondents also expected that building operators be made responsible for the public hygiene of their buildings. Given the results of this wave of the survey, we suggest some interventions be adopted by the general public, at the neighbourhood level and by building operators.