Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat inaugurated the Go Green SG 2024 initiative on June 12, 2024, at Republic Polytechnic. Highlighting the importance of public hygiene and sustainability, DPM Heng called for individual and collective efforts to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Singapore.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat launched the Go Green SG 2024 initiative on June 12, 2024, at Republic Polytechnic. In his address, DPM Heng reflected on Singapore’s transformation from overcrowded squatter settlements and a dirty Singapore River to the clean and green city it is today. He credited this progress to the vision and hard work of Singapore’s forefathers, particularly Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, who launched the first Keep Singapore Clean campaign in 1968.
DPM Heng emphasized the importance of public hygiene as a priority for Singapore, particularly as cities grow denser and face new environmental challenges. He noted that the Singapore Green Plan 2030 outlines strategies to address issues such as carbon emissions reduction, climate change adaptation, and food supply resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of public hygiene in preventing the spread of viruses, reinforcing the need for personal practices like frequent handwashing and public space disinfection.
As part of Go Green SG 2024, DPM Heng urged individuals to take responsibility for their actions, emphasizing simple habits like separating trash, returning trays, and keeping public toilets clean. He cited Japan as a model of public hygiene, where citizens habitually bring their trash to suitable disposal points. To instill these values, it is important to start from young, with adults serving as role models.
Public education, enforcement, and good infrastructure are key to encouraging positive behaviors. For example, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has successfully increased tray and crockery return rates at hawker centers through a combination of enforcement and optimized infrastructure. Similar efforts are underway to improve the cleanliness of public toilets, led by the Public Toilets Taskforce and the Public Hygiene Council.
DPM Heng also highlighted the importance of 3P (Public, Private, and People) partnerships in promoting public hygiene and sustainability. He commended initiatives like the Corporate Action Network, which allows businesses to share best practices and collaborate on joint efforts. Partnerships between corporates and schools, such as the collaboration between Republic Polytechnic and EnGro Corporation Limited, demonstrate the potential for innovative public hygiene solutions.
At the upcoming CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG), various innovative solutions will be showcased, including a self-reconfigurable robot for cleaning pavements developed by the Singapore University of Technology and Design. The Enviro Tech Innovation Hub, which will be officially opened by Senior Minister of State Amy Khor, aims to upskill the cleaning industry and test new cleaning solutions.
DPM Heng stressed that public hygiene is fundamental to creating a liveable home and that everyone has a part to play. The Go Green SG movement aims to rally collective responsibility for a sustainable Singapore, with over 180 3P partners involved. He encouraged everyone to participate in the various activities planned for the month, including a “Trashion Week” collaboration between Stridy and Vintagewknd, which combines street cleaning with upcycled fashion.
DPM Heng called on individuals, schools, companies, and communities to work together to make a greater difference, building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable home for future generations.
