Complaints of Foul Smell during Rubbish Collections

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for National Development (a) for the past three years, how many complaints has HDB received from residents on foul odours emitted during rubbish chute collections; (b) how have these complaints been resolved; and (c) what plans are there to introduce the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System to Sembawang GRC.

Mr Lawrence Wong: Town Councils (TCs) manage and maintain the common areas in HDB estates, including rubbish chutes. If there is any feedback on foul odours emitted during refuse collection, HDB would generally refer them to TCs for their follow-up. However, HDB has not received such feedback over the past three years.

While it is inevitable that some odour may be emitted during the refuse collection process, TCs take care to minimise dis-amenity to residents. For example, the rubbish bin chutes and central refuse chute are washed on a regular basis, and after each collection. Once the collection at the central refuse chute is completed, the surrounding areas would be cleaned and the roller door shut, to minimise odours being emitted. TCs also remind their conservancy workers to cover the rubbish bins while they are being transported.

HDB has implemented the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) in selected new HDB developments where feasible, including Tampines North, Punggol, Bidadari and Sengkang. HDB will be studying the feasibility of implementing PWCS in other new housing estates.

For existing estates, implementing PWCS is more challenging and expensive as it involves carrying out services diversion and extensive excavation works to lay the underground pipes in built-up areas. HDB will have to assess the performance of the PWCS currently test-bedded in Yuhua, before deciding whether to roll out the PWCS in other existing estates.