New hawker centre in Admiralty to impose ‘mandatory’ tray returns
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — All diners at the Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre, slated to open in September, will be required to return their own trays and crockery after use.
Calling for stall applications on Thursday (June 1), operator NTUC Foodfare laid out its dining concept, measures to boost productivity as well as its social initiatives, one of which is a “mandatory” tray return policy.
Its statement said the policy seeks to “orchestrate positive social behaviour”, promote social graciousness and provide a clean and comfortable dining environment for all.
When asked how it intends to enforce such a rule, a NTUC Foodfare spokesperson told TODAY that it is not intending to give financial incentives for diners to return their trays. Instead, staff and cleaners will be on hand to impose and remind diners of the policy.
There will also be “positive reinforcement measures” such as on-site house-rule messaging at the hawker centre, while tray-return stations will be “conveniently placed”.
“NTUC Foodfare believes that our social narrative as a social enterprise can be further enriched beyond our core purpose of moderating cooked food prices, by providing healthier food options and promoting tray return. We want to contribute to the national movement towards social graciousness by making it obligatory to return our own trays and crockery after each meal without the need for financial incentives,” the spokesperson said.
The 3,400sqm hawker centre is located within Kampung Admiralty, next to Admiralty MRT station. The 900-seat eatery will have 43 food stalls and is expected to open in September.
Besides showcasing provincial and regional food — from Chinese dialect groups like Teochew, Hokkien, Malay, Indian and Peranakan — it will also feature a cashless payment system. Cashless transactions can be made via two modes of payment: Plus! Cards and DBS PayLah!.
Every stall at the hawker centre will also continue to offer at least two budget meals at S$2.80 or less. And up to 50 per cent of all dishes offered will conform to the healthier choice standards set by the Health Promotion Board.
Stall applications are now open and will close on June 16. Potential hawkers must be Singaporeans or permanent residents.
