Source: Government of Singapore
23 June 2026 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) continued its enforcement efforts and stakeholder partnerships to uphold high standards of public cleanliness and hygiene in the first quarter of 2026.
About 3,000 fines issued for ground littering offences in Q1 2026
2. From January to March 2026, NEA issued about 3,000 fines for ground littering offences islandwide. NEA also conducted 24 enforcement blitzes at cleanliness hotspots, which are identified through localised litter counts, public feedback and sustained ground observations. At these hotspots, NEA deployed visible patrols, standees, surveillance cameras, and carried out ground engagements to deter littering. In addition, over 150 Corrective Work Orders (CWOs) were issued in Q1 2026, and these offenders will be required to perform corrective work at these hotspots, serving as a visible reminder to members of the public of the consequences of littering.[1]
3. NEA’s enforcement efforts have also resulted in convictions for repeat offenders. On 15 May 2026, Tang Bo Xiang, a 43-year-old Singaporean man, was convicted in the State Courts for throwing a cigarette butt in a public place. He was fined $2,500 and ordered to perform 12 hours of corrective work. This was his 13th conviction for littering since 2000. The court took into account his previous convictions when assessing the sentence.
Decline in rat burrows recorded in early 2026
4. NEA’s two-monthly surveillance cycle recorded a decrease in the average number of rat burrows per cycle, from about 4,900 in 2025 to about 2,900 in early 2026, based on the January-February and March-April cycles. The majority of burrows were detected in public housing estates, followed by grass verges along roadsides and in industrial estates.
5. About 260 enforcement actions were jointly taken by NEA and the Singapore Food Agency against premises owners for rat-related lapses from January to March 2026, of which about 150 were for poor refuse management.[2]
Reducing upstream lapses through ground efforts and partnerships
6. Targeted efforts at areas with high trade activity and poor refuse management under the Cleaner Neighbourhood initiative have shown results. At Chai Chee Avenue/Road, refuse management lapses fell by more than half over four months – from 23 in November 2025 to 10 in end-February 2026 – through engagements with trade premises on proper refuse management, close collaboration with Town Councils to reduce visible waste, and the deployment of surveillance cameras.
7. Similar progress was also observed during the same period at Serangoon Avenue 2/3 where refuse management lapses dropped 52 per cent. Advisories were issued to trade premises to install additional bins and remove bulky items stored outside their shops, which can serve as potential harbourage for rats. These stepped-up efforts have led to 12 enforcement actions taken, including two enforcement actions under the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act 1998 issued to a premises owner amounting to a $6,000 fine.
8. Good rat management practices by premise owners also made a difference. AMK Hub has not experienced sustained rat activity since end-2023 – a result of a deliberate focus on prevention, early detection, and quick response, rather than relying solely on reactive pest control. This includes training staff to spot early signs of rat activity, isolating F&B units to limit rat movement, and having clear protocols in place for fast containment. The approach was put to the test. When a rat was brought in with raw materials, it was detected promptly and trapped shortly, with no further activity observed. These measures are in line with NEA’s rat management guidelines, which emphasise prevention and the use of technology alongside conventional control methods.
9. NEA will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach encompassing enforcement, innovative solutions, and stakeholder engagements, to uphold high standards of public cleanliness. Everyone plays a part to keep Singapore clean. Public health offences can be reported via the OneService app.
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[1] Under the Environmental Public Health Act, any individual who litters is liable on conviction to a court fine of up to $2,000 for a first conviction, $4,000 for a second conviction, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent convictions. The court may also impose a Corrective Work Order, requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours.
[2] Figures provisional as of 18 Jun 2026. Premises managers and owners who fail to practise proper refuse management or create conditions favourable to the harbouring or propagating of rats are subject to enforcement by NEA under the Environmental Public Health Act (EPHA) and the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act (CVPA) respectively. The maximum penalty under the CVPA is a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 months, or both, for a first offence. For a first offence under the Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations, premises owners can be fined up to a maximum of $1,000.