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RAS launches 5th edition of Guide to Better Public Toilet Design and Maintenance

After delivering his speech, Guest-of-Honour (GOH) Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Mr Baey Yam Keng launched the 5th edition of A Guide to Better Public Toilet Design & Maintenance. This guide provides qualified persons such as engineers, architects, and environmental & facility management professionals with information about good design, maintenance and user education. The latest edition was reviewed by RAS together with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC).

The key changes of the latest edition are the NEA’s revised Code of Practice on Environmental Health on public toilet requirements which took effect in March this year, certification of smart restroom products under the SGBC’s Singapore Green Building Product Certification Scheme and products capable of eliminating viruses such as COVID-19. The 1st edition of the guide was published in 1999 by the then Ministry of the Environment. The 2nd edition was published in 2002 while the 3rd edition was published and launched in 2013 by then Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Ms Grace Fu. The 4th edition was launched in 2018 by then Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources.

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RAS presents ceremonial certificates to three companies awarded under the new Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) certification of smart restroom products

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) last year on a new certification scheme of smart restroom products, RAS has been actively reaching out to introduce SGBC to product companies to certify their products. Six products from three companies namely Convergent Smart Technologies Pte Ltd, Dyson Singapore Pte Ltd and Infinergy Systems Solutions Pte Ltd were certified. They were the first batch of companies presented with a ceremonial certificate by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Mr Baey.

Two sensor products from Convergent Smart Technologies were certified 2 ticks or very good rating while three smart hand dryers from Dyson Singapore were certified 3 ticks or excellent rating. The top 4 ticks or leader rating were awarded to the interactive feedback system by Infinergy Systems Solutions. With this new certification, it will not only encourage product companies to offer reliable and durable products but also encourage more business owners, operators and cleaning service providers to source for certified product companies on restroom maintenance.

RAS gives out 59 awards at the 14th LOO (Let’s Observe Ourselves) Awards

59 exemplary organisations and individuals were recognised at the 14th LOO Awards. Among the recipients, 30 outstanding restroom attendants individually received $200 worth of grocery vouchers. Madam Tan Geok Eng from LS2 Services Pte Ltd was particularly commended by Guest of Honour Mr Baey for achieving the highest categorical score among the attendants and her dedication to maintaining the restrooms at Dazhong Primary School. Madam Tan completed seven Workforce Skills Qualifications related to environmental cleaning modules and often shared good restroom etiquette with students during their recess breaks. This year, a new community-sector organisation category was introduced and Yuhua Eco Sustainability Group was awarded. The group consists of residents participating in the Neighbourhood Toilets Community Group initiative launched by the Public Hygiene Council.

Three young and two adult individuals were also singled out by Mr Baey in his speech. Josiah Tan, who is a student leader from Chongfu School, led and motivated his team of prefects in restroom decorations and poster designs. He also led his team to execute activities during an exhibition to raise awareness on restroom cleanliness. Westwood Primary School students Erela Chia and Joanne Lim proactively wrote to their teacher to design and replace less effective existing posters with posters hand-drawn and painted by Erela. Joanne also made a short video clip on good restroom etiquette to encourage pupils to keep the restrooms clean. Preschool teachers Ms Clarice Chan from Cherie Hearts @ Charlton and Madam Anizah Bte Ahmad from PCF Sparkletots Preschool @ Choa Chu Kang Blk 10, educated preschoolers to show kindness to cleaning attendants, by guiding them to create thank-you cards and gifts that were presented to the cleaning attendants.