The number of warning letters fell sharply from 628 in the first half of 2025 and 2,984 in the same period in 2024, according to data from the National Environment Agency which manages 123 markets and hawker centers across Singapore, ranked the world’s second richest country by GDP per capita in 2025 after Switzerland by the Economist.
There has also been a decrease in the number of fines from seven in the first half of both 2025 and 2024, AsiaOne reported.
The authority has been enforcing against table littering at hawker centers, coffeeshops and food courts since 2021 and 2022, with first-time offenders given a written warning and recidivists issued fines or court charges.
The agency said it handed out a total of 814 warning letters and 11 fines for table littering in 2025.
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People queue for food at a hawker center in Singapore. Photo by Reuters |
According to the NEA, hawker centers with the highest tray return rates in the first half of 2026 included Fernvale Hawker Center and Market, Market Street Hawker Center, and Chong Pang Market and Food Center, Channel News Asia reported.
Singapore ensures safety and hygiene at hawker centers through routine deep cleaning, strict stall grading, and enforcement of tray return rules.
The city state will close 85 hawker centers and markets for one to three days this month for scheduled cleaning as part of efforts to maintain clean and hygienic facilities.
The centers include popular dining destinations for foreign tourists, such as Jurong West Market & Food Center, Newton Food Center, Alexandra Village Food Center, Maxwell Food Center and Yuhua Market & Food Center.