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RAS certifies Kopitiam and NTUC Foodfare coffeeshops under its Happy Toilet Programme (HTP)

Under FairPrice Group, Kopitiam has become the next social enterprise after NTUC Foodfare, to participate in the HTP. We are pleased to witness the commitment of the two enterprises to offer clean public toilets for their patrons. The 11 HTP-certified coffeeshops are islandwide in Bukit Panjang, Punggol, Sembawang, Sengkang, Simei and Yishun. Two of Koptiam’s foodcourts in National University Hospital have also been HTP-certified since 2012.

NTUC Foodfare, which also manages 3 hawker centres and 2 foodcourts, has been a firm supporter of the HTP with 2 of its 3 hawker centres namely Kampung Admiralty and Pasir Ris Central certified as 5 stars. The enterprise is also the first food operator to achieve 100% Happy Toilet certification in 2011. Though Singapore is entering the next phase of the COVID-19 safe measures, RAS is still anticipating food operators to continue to participate in the HTP.

RAS conducts audits for three coffeeshops under the Neighbourhood Toilets Community Group (NTCG) initiative

With the support from National Environment Agency and Reckitt Benckiser, RAS conducted audits for 3 coffeeshops in Jurong namely Meetup@494 at Block 494 Jurong West Street 41, Get Together at Block 429 Jurong West Avenue 1, and PDSS 318 Food Cafeteria at Block 318 Jurong East Street 31. The three coffeeshops were part of a pilot initiative under the NTCG launched by the Public Hygiene Council, to rope in volunteers to work with coffeeshop operators to ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of the toilets.

The 3 coffeeshops will subsequently be Happy Toilet certified after initial audit findings and recommendations are shared with the operators to ensure that they meet the required Happy Toilet standards. One of the key recommendations is for operators to provide professional mop wringers which will facilitate the drying of floors by cleaning attendants. Upon rectification of lapses, if any, RAS will proceed to perform a more comprehensive audit to rate the toilets under the HTP. The coffeeshops will be rated under the HTP for three consecutive years.

RAS introduces new community-sector organisation category under its LOO (Let’s Observe Ourselves) Awards

In its bid to encourage individuals to jointly work together in groups to achieve a greater impact to the restroom environment, the RAS introduced a new community-sector organisation category apart from the existing private and public-sector organisations. This new category will enable more groups to be recognised including students who usually form groups to execute related projects. It is indeed heartening and honourable for RAS to receive the continued support from Guest-of-Honour Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Amy Khor, who will be presenting the awards to exemplary recipients this year.

The LOO Awards was first initiated in 2009 to acknowledge organisations and individuals who have contributed to helping Singapore achieve a world recognised standard of toilet cleanliness. The LOO Awards is also in line with the last of the four pronged approach of the LOO Campaign which was launched in 2008. Since 2009, more than 350 owners, operators, preschools, schools, cleaning companies, cleaning attendants and individuals have clinched the award. Apart from receiving plaques, the cleaning attendants were also presented with public-donated grocery vouchers to help them cope with rising living costs.