Who’s in Charge of Cleaning Singapore’s Shoreline Rubbish?

Why Are Our Shores Piling Up with Trash?

A recent post on r/SingaporeRaw has sparked frustration over a pile of rubbish along the shore, with the OP questioning which agency is responsible for cleaning it up.

"Which agency is responsible for cleaning up this pile of rubbish along the shore?" – catcourtesy

With trash washing up on our coasts, Singaporeans are wondering—is this a local issue, or are we just collecting waste from across the border? More importantly, who is actually responsible for cleaning it up?

Trash on Singapore’s Shores—Where Is It Coming From?

This isn’t a one-off problem. Users pointed out that trash regularly washes up along our coastline, likely coming from ships or neighbouring countries.

"Are they washed in from neighbouring countries?" – jkohlc

"Most likely yes... PA used to run a program where we could pick up a bucket of trash at the beach to use the kayaks for free. Most of it is cigarette butts, water containers (not sold in SG type), and straws." – West_Point_5225

While some speculate that rubbish is illegally dumped by passing ships, others mention that certain areas in Malaysia, such as Stulang Beach, might contribute to the problem due to a lack of barriers preventing waste from entering the sea.

"Could be dumped overboard also by the ships crossing through the strait." – Intentionallyabadger

Who’s Supposed to Clean It Up?

With public spaces like beaches, parks, and waterfronts falling under different agencies, it’s not always clear who is responsible for clearing the trash.

One of the most upvoted comments suggested using the OneService app, which allows Singaporeans to report cleanliness issues.

"OneService. Send this photo via the app—pretty sure they will sort this out very quickly, especially now election season." – Chrissylumpy21

However, others argued that NEA (National Environment Agency) is in charge, given that they have conducted studies on marine litter in Singapore.

"I believe NEA is in charge, given that they did a study on marine litter recently." – ICanBeAnAssholeToo

For those unsure, a straightforward way to escalate the issue is to attend a Meet-the-People Session (MPS) and highlight it directly to the MPs.

"Go attend a MPS. Won't see LWrong there but other part-time MP will talk to you. Then straight tell them to their faces. Record in 4K. Sure get attention and solve asap." – CybGorn

Is This a Government or Community Issue?

Some users suggested that instead of waiting for agencies to act, Singaporeans should step up and clean the area themselves.

"Pitch in. Do it yourself. Why wait for someone else?" – nasu1917a

This sparks a bigger debate—should keeping our public spaces clean be entirely the government’s job, or should citizens take more initiative? While clean-up efforts exist, they rely heavily on volunteers and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

Final Thoughts: A Long-Term Fix Is Needed

Whether the trash is from local littering, neighbouring countries, or passing ships, one thing is clear—Singapore needs a better long-term solution to marine waste.

Authorities can increase enforcement against illegal dumping, but ultimately, the bigger challenge is preventing the trash from entering our waters in the first place.

In the meantime, if you see a dirty shore, report it to OneService, NEA, or your local town council. Or, as one user bluntly put it:

"Don't just complain—clean up if you can."

Would you join a beach clean-up, or do you think this should be fully handled by the authorities?