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RAS unveils
plans for higher Happy Toilet standards
At the 11th LOO (Let’s Observe
Ourselves) Awards ceremony held at Heartbeat @ Bedok to commemorate World Toilet Day, the RAS supported Singapore’s bid
towards a smart nation by introducing the adoption of the holistic
Detect, Feedback, Eliminate & Clean (DFEC) smart solutions for its Happy Toilet Programme.
“Detect” means the use of sensors to detect and monitor any
defects or situations, “Feedback” means the use of
interactive feedback systems for defects or situations which cannot be
effectively monitored by sensors, “Eliminate” means the use
of green sanitisers, deodorisers such as ozonated water and protective coatings to eliminate
odour, germs and stains. “Clean” not only means the adoption
of technology to facilitate toilet cleaning but also the adoption of
facilities for self-cleaning  by users such as the use of bidets and taps
integrated with fast and hygienic hand-drying functions for effective
hand washing.
Currently, only 6-star
toilets need to meet the criterion on the adoption of all four DFEC smart
solutions to increase productivity and efficiency. With effect from 1
April next year, 4-star toilets will need to adopt at least one of the
DFEC smart solutions while 5-star toilets will need to adopt at least two
of the DFEC smart solutions. The assessment criteria of 3-star toilets
will remain unchanged. The required scores for the respective
star-ratings will also remain the same. These revised criteria will not
only encourage the adoption of smart solutions but most importantly
translate to better productivity and efficiency in toilet maintenance.
[Media Release]
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RAS gives out 42 awards at the
11th LOO (Let’s Observe Ourselves) Awards
42 exemplary
organisations and individuals were recognised at the 11th LOO
Awards.
Among the recipients, 10 outstanding restroom attendants, who each
received $200 worth of grocery vouchers, were also recognised. Madam Yeo
Yoke Soi from APSN Katong School was commended by Guest of Honour Dr Amy
Khor for achieving the highest categorial score among the attendants. Madam
Yeo not only has 16 years of experience in
the cleaning sector but also consistently upgrades herself to complete six
WSQ environmental cleaning modules. Dr Khor also expressed her support on
the adoption of smart restroom solutions to increase productivity and
cited award recipients SMRT Trains Ltd and Sentosa Development
Corporation as good examples. Four young champions were also singled out
by Dr Khor in her speech, for being strong advocates of clean toilets.
Student leader Emma Chan from Chongfu Primary  School, led her team in restroom decorations,
poster designs and conducted assembly sharing to educate everyone to
upkeep the maintenance of the toilets in the school. She also undertook
cleaning tasks in her school.
As
an active member of the ‘Friend of Singa’ programme, Shuanne
Seah from CHIJ Kellock, led her team to create restroom etiquette
teaching slides for the prefects to present to all the Primary 5 and 6
classes. She also presented the slides to Primary 4 students and carried
out routine cleaning, spring cleaning and canteen duties in the school. Similar
to Shuanne, Taylor Kenneth James Tadlas from Park View Primary School did
his sharing during assembly and also took up an active role as an
inspector to assess restrooms and provide feedback to his school. Playing
an active role as a Green Club member of Westwood Primary School and
undertaking the same inspector role to assess restrooms, Tricia Chan not
only presented to her school but also conducted outreach to the elderly
from SilverAce Eldercare Centre and to MOE Kindergarten pupils. She also
organised an activity to appreciate restroom attendants and purchased
fruit packages for them. From their contributions, these four award
recipients, who were also the youngest recipients, have subtly taught us
that everyone can make a difference to the restroom environment.
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RAS certifies the first integrated community and lifestyle hub
under the Happy Toilet Programme (HTP)
The
strong commitment of Heartbeat @ Bedok was demonstrated months before its
5-Star Happy Toilet accreditation when they wrote
to RAS seeking possible means to initiate social behaviour changes and
positively change values, attitudes and behaviour of its patrons so that
they can take personal ownership of keeping the public spaces clean and
beautiful especially the toilets. After a  meeting,
they were very supportive of partnering with RAS on a World Toilet Day
event from 17th – 19th November with the LOO Awards ceremony to be
held on 19th November.
Prior
to the World Toilet Day event, Heartbeat @ Bedok actively planned for its
24 toilets to be assessed under the HTP and all its toilets were
certified 5 stars. The hub houses a polyclinic, library, senior care
centre and sport centre including a swimming pool, sports hall, etc. The
Heartbeat @ Bedok is part of the People's Association and the second
integrated community and lifestyle hub to be constructed after Our
Tampines Hub.
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RAS
presents vouchers to cleaning attendants at Heartbeat @
Bedok
Prior to the LOO Awards on 19th
November, from 17th – 18th November, exhibitions and educational games
were conducted for the public. Exhibition panels about RAS’ preschool,
school and public education programmes, and a Happy Toilet mock-up of Detect, Feedback, Eliminate & Clean
(DFEC) smart solutions
were on display. A colouring activity on restroom-etiquette colouring
sheets was conducted to educate the young. The LOO (Let’s Observe  Ourselves) Whiz mobile
app game was also available for the public to experience the challenges
of cleaning restrooms dirtied by irresponsible users.
As part of the
collaboration with Heartbeat @ Bedok, 46
cleaning attendants at the Heartbeat @ Bedok were
also awarded with a total $1,840 worth of grocery vouchers. Each cleaner received
$40 worth of vouchers. The vouchers were purchased from donations made to
the RAS via the Giving.sg portal. At the
LOO Awards, another $2,000 worth of vouchers were presented to 10
cleaning attendants, who each received $200 worth of grocery vouchers and
a plaque, for their strong commitment in maintaining quality restrooms.
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