USE OF DISPOSABLE CROCKERY (Progress report)

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for the Environment (a) if he will give a progress report on the pilot project to use disposable crockery in selected hawker centres; (b) whether hawkers will be allowed to revert to the use of normal crockery if the project proves to be unpopular; and (c) when will his Ministry enforce the use of disposable crockery in all hawker centres if it deems the project successful.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng) (for the Minister for the Environment): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.

The Ministry introduced disposable crockery in five food centres in February this year. Since then, another six food centres have also joined in. Disposable crockery was introduced as a means to upgrade the cleanliness and standard of hygiene in our food centres. During the past six months, it has been observed that the 11 food centres using disposable crockery are much cleaner. They are better organized.

In the past, before disposable crockery was introduced, it was common to see tables cluttered with soiled dishes and leftover food. A customer wanting to use the table would have to wait patiently for the stallholders to come and remove their respective crockery. It was also common to see stacks of soiled dishes and leftover food placed by the side of the stalls, against some pillar or wall, awaiting collection by the respective stallholders.

Then there was the problem of washing. As it was, the stalls were already crowded with all sorts of cooking paraphernalia. Within the confined space, stallholders would have to prepare and cook their food. When they also had to scrap off the leftover food into a bin placed inside the stall and wash dishes within their stalls, it is not difficult to imagine the mess that was created. The crockery could not have been very thoroughly washed. All too often, the floor traps were choked with food scraps and the stalls were wet and dirty.

With disposable crockery, we can have a very efficient system of clearing tables. Everything on the table goes straight into the trash bin. There is no more leftover food lying about, no more soiled crockery on the floor and no more washings within the stalls.

Some hawkers are not happy with the use of disposable crockery because it means slightly more operating costs to them. Cleanliness and hygiene may not be foremost in their minds. There is an increasing consumer demand for cleaner eating places. If food centres cannot be kept clean and hygienic, then they may eventually lose out to the cleaner restaurants, eating houses and private food centres.

The Ministry is satisfied that the use of disposable crockery is very suited for food centres and the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. The food centres that are now using disposable crockery will be required to continue to use disposable crockery. The Ministry will also be getting more food centres to use disposable crockery in the near future.