Littering in Singapore? Grasscutters and nylon strings
17 November 2018
Grasscutters in Singapore have been irresponsibly disposing (littering) nylon strings, the by-products of grass trimmers, for years. Issue covered by Jose Hong on Straits Times.
Is there anything we can do to improve this practice? Most would think that this deep-seated problem is too detached from our daily lives for us to make a difference. You've thought wrong. Citizen science is a growing concept and this is one of many examples of how anyone can contribute to a cause. Citizen science is the collection and analysis of data by members of the general public and is largely part of a collaborative project with professionals. The numbers on the ground provide up-to-date and accurate information, sometimes more accurate than if the data analyst were to collect all the information himself. How do we start then? First we have to identify the problem and understand the possible reasons as to why they exist. After that, we should ask questions like "why is this not corrected?" "maybe this doesn't seem like a problem on surface level?" "how can I convince others that this problem I've identified deserves attention?" |
Let's take a look at this situation to find out more!
Why do they litter?
The grasscutter's job is solely landscaping. Everything else that comes after that does not affect his performance. Accountability and stewardship is not enforced and together with lack of knowledge, these workers may not have even thought of the consequences of these acts of littering at all in the name of efficiency.
Why is this a problem?
These nylon strings are single-use and non-biodegradable. In other words, they do not break down and disappear overtime. Instead, they break down into small particles of plastic (microplastic, size <5mm) overtime. When the grasscutters blow the cut grass into the trash bags at the end of the day, these strings aren’t blown in together because of their weight. They remain on the patch of grass forever, or till they get swept away into our waterways during a heavy downpour. These plastics accumulate and are polluting our environment. They have the capacity to break down over the years and can end up in the water we drink or food we eat.
Why do they litter?
The grasscutter's job is solely landscaping. Everything else that comes after that does not affect his performance. Accountability and stewardship is not enforced and together with lack of knowledge, these workers may not have even thought of the consequences of these acts of littering at all in the name of efficiency.
Why is this a problem?
These nylon strings are single-use and non-biodegradable. In other words, they do not break down and disappear overtime. Instead, they break down into small particles of plastic (microplastic, size <5mm) overtime. When the grasscutters blow the cut grass into the trash bags at the end of the day, these strings aren’t blown in together because of their weight. They remain on the patch of grass forever, or till they get swept away into our waterways during a heavy downpour. These plastics accumulate and are polluting our environment. They have the capacity to break down over the years and can end up in the water we drink or food we eat.
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Extent of littering
Individuals have been reporting sightings of these strings over a few months (August'18 till present) and Ria Tan of WildSingapore has compiled a GoogleMaps of these sightings.
Over three months, approximately 2,900 nylon strings were collected in total.
A possible (best-case) projection:
3 months: 2,900
1 year: 11,600
10 years: 116,000
100 years: 1,160,000
*based on reported numbers. Actual numbers may be significantly higher
Based on these numbers, how can we call ourselves a Garden City? Littering is widespread.
Individuals have been reporting sightings of these strings over a few months (August'18 till present) and Ria Tan of WildSingapore has compiled a GoogleMaps of these sightings.
Over three months, approximately 2,900 nylon strings were collected in total.
A possible (best-case) projection:
3 months: 2,900
1 year: 11,600
10 years: 116,000
100 years: 1,160,000
*based on reported numbers. Actual numbers may be significantly higher
Based on these numbers, how can we call ourselves a Garden City? Littering is widespread.
Here is an alternative visualisation of the same data gathered - spatial and temporal distribution of the nylon strings rescued over two months. From this we can tell many new stories:
- Locations of 'problem' areas
- Over time, the accumulation of these strings is indeed devastating
Imagine, thousands of these strings saved from entering our waterways. Also imagine, the number of nylon strings that are not saved by these individuals. We definitely can do better.
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Are we focusing on the wrong things? (personal opinion)
The media has been focusing on other forms of single-use plastics such as straws and cups. Objectively, those are the 'lesser evil' as compared to these nylon strings. The probability of straws and cups being disposed irresponsibly is lower than these strings. Perhaps with more social media attention, this problem can be solved too.
Fortunately, NParks is notified of this problem because of our collective effort and has instructed their contractors to stop littering. They also hope that we can continue this effort to keep track of the situation.
The media has been focusing on other forms of single-use plastics such as straws and cups. Objectively, those are the 'lesser evil' as compared to these nylon strings. The probability of straws and cups being disposed irresponsibly is lower than these strings. Perhaps with more social media attention, this problem can be solved too.
Fortunately, NParks is notified of this problem because of our collective effort and has instructed their contractors to stop littering. They also hope that we can continue this effort to keep track of the situation.