How Should We Deal with HDB’s Growing Clutter Problem?

Cluttering in HDB is a common and perpetual problem that many residents face. The increased cluttering in recent years has attracted the attention of many due to safety concerns. So, it is important to address this issue:

Singaporeans tend to have the habit of accumulating heaps of items, both wanted and unwanted, in hopes that one day the item may come in handy. These vast accumulations of clutter obstruct human traffic and are main sources of fire outbreaks. It’s also the reason why there are uprising vermin problems in estates. Clutter provides an avenue for the accumulation of freestanding water, which breeds dengue clusters.

What have the authorities done in an attempt to solve these issues? What should we, as residents, do to curb this growing cluttering problem? Let’s find out!

1. Impose a Fine

Town councils have fined residents who are guilty of clutter, by up to $2,000. But this doesn’t seem to be effective.

As such, a tiered and much higher fine system should be imposed. Residents can be fined more heavily for clutter that is bigger or if the items in the clutter are hazardous, such as newspapers. This will create a greater sense of urgency in clearing their corridors.

However, for residents who may have a possibility of suffering from a hoarding disorder, imposing a fine would not be right as we are in no position to blame and punish them for something they cannot control. As such, an intervention would be advised.

2. Intervention for Those With Hoarding Disorders

A reason why clutter accumulates could be because there are residents who may be suffering from a hoarding disorder who live in the estate.

Hoarders often find it difficult to discard or part with their possessions, causing objects to accumulate over time.

As such, it is important for fellow residents to find out more about these people, rather than make assumptions so that they can locate their family members to work together to try and alleviate their problem of hoarding.

Another option is to contact social workers who may be able to help these hoarders in detaching themselves from their possessions so that together as an estate, they can solve the issue of clutter.

3. Have a Salvation Army Donation Drive

Clutter accumulated could include unwanted objects that may still be in good working condition. What better way to get rid of unwanted objects than to donate them.

One productive way of dealing with the clutter problem could be to have a Salvation Army donation drive at the void deck once or twice a month.

This provides residents with an avenue to clear out the unwanted items that may be accumulating by the piles rather than leaving them to collect dust or collect freestanding water (thus creating dengue clusters).

4. Provide More Recycling Bins

In line with the “go green” trend in recent years, more recycling bins can be placed all around the void decks.

Residents may feel that it is a hassle to dispose of their recyclables on a regular basis because the bins are located too far away from them. It may be a better idea to just accumulate them and bulk throw them into the recycling bin.

However, this habit can lead to a build-up of clutter. Providing more recycling bins will break this habit and give people more reasons to dispose of their waste instead of adding to the clutter.

(For older residents, who cannot bring bulky items downstairs, community policing / assistance programmes should provide assistance)

5. Put Up Instructional Guides

At present, guidelines and rules are a little vague – it’s not clear what specific size of shoe racks can be placed in the corridor, or what type or number of plants. While a degree of give is necessary, more specifics are needed.

Instructional guides with these details (specifying size of an area used, or acceptable dimensions of items in the common corridor)  can be placed on void deck notice boards, in lift lobbies, or mailed to residents.

Posters should also include reminders to residents to remove any stagnant water that has accumulated as a result of clutter. This helps to prevent the breeding of dengue clusters that may occur due to bodies of freestanding water.

Residents will thus be able to better visualise and have the images etched in their minds, helping them in an attempt to clear out the clutter.

6. Confiscation of Objects

Authorities can confiscate objects of value (bicycles, shoe racks, etc.) that are not removed after a certain time. These can be returned following a fine. This will stop residents from obstructing the common corridor, and getting anyone cooked during a fire.

We should act fast to prevent this problem from growing further instead of waiting.

What do you think we should d HDB Clutter? Voice your thoughts in our comments section or on our Facebook community page.

Looking for a property? Find the home of your dreams today on Singapore’s largest property portal 99.co! You can also access a wide range of tools to calculate your down payments and loan repayments, to make an informed purchase.