Ang Mo Kio residents avoid hanging laundry outside windows as high-floor neighbours litter

New Paper

2 days ago

Residents of Block 337 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 are expressing their exasperation over a neighbour who repeatedly throws food scraps out the window.
This has made it impossible for residents to hang their laundry to dry as the food scraps would often hit the hanging laundry on their way down.
Ms Xiao, a 54-year-old pilates instructor who lives in the block, shared with Shin Min Daily News that the neighbour living above her unit consistently throws food scraps out the window to feed pigeons, resulting in a dirty drying rack and making it impossible for her to hang her laundry outside.
"My neighbour throws food out between 8am and 10am every day," said Ms Xiao. "As soon as the food is thrown down, pigeons gather at the foot of the block to pick on the scraps."
Ms Xiao added that because she is often busy teaching classes at locations outside her home, she has only a brief window in the morning to hang her clothes to dry.
Unfortunately, the unexpected mess from the upper floor has become unbearable:
"Now, I have to stay alert and listen carefully for any strange movements. If I hear something suspicious, I quickly collect my laundry to avoid it getting dirty and having to rewash it."
On top of the mess spilt on the laundry rack, the food scraps are also often scattered on the ground floor of the block. Ms Xiao mentioned, "I went up to speak with the residents upstairs, but they denied it. I have no proof, so I don't know what else to do."
Photos provided by Ms Xiao showed laundry rods and clothes on the drying rack covered in food. She also reported seeing pigeons flocking on the ground floor, pecking at food remnants.
HDB resident Ms Xiao claims that the clothes rack and ground floor of the block have been stained by food scraps. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
Ms Xiao related that she has raised this issue multiple times through the OneService platform, but the problem has not been resolved. "They told me that they had warned the neighbour, but soon after, the same thing happened again. It's really exhausting."
At least four households now hang their laundry indoors and shut their windows completely.
Another resident, Mr Li, said he and his family no longer hang their laundry outside, as they cannot predict what might be thrown down from above. "We just hang our clothes indoors now because we don't want to risk it. It's too tiring to argue with them," he said.
Ms Huang, a 67-year-old retiree, shared that she once opened the window in her laundry area to ventilate the room, only for a plastic bag full of food waste to fall into her home.
Residents claim it has been going on for more than 10 years, with food scraps, cigarette butts and tissues being thrown from the upper floors.
Ms Xiao, who has resided in the block for 40 years, noted that the situation has worsened in recent months, as food scraps are tossed down nearly every day.
"It used to be just rice or biscuit crumbs, but now it's sometimes wet rice or soup. I even heard that someone had a bowl of laksa thrown at them," she said.
Mr Li, a 68-year-old taxi driver, recalled that these high-rise littering incidents have always been an issue. He mentioned seeing cigarettes, tissues, fruit seeds and food scraps thrown out the windows.
"I've seen all sorts of things thrown down," he said, expressing concerns that the increasing number of pigeons in the area could soon pose a hygiene problem.
An Ang Mo Kio Town Council spokesperson confirmed that the authorities were aware of the situation and are working closely with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to monitor and manage the issue.
"We have been in active communication with the affected residents, including those who speak out through feedback channels. Notices have been posted to remind residents about the dangers of throwing things from their flats and feeding pigeons, as well as the related penalties."
In collaboration with the Town Council, NEA conducted surveillance in the area last October, and plans to conduct a follow-up inspection to assess the situation and determine appropriate measures moving forward.
"The authorities are taking the issue of high-rise littering very seriously," the spokesperson emphasised. "We will continue to work with relevant agencies and the community to create a safer and cleaner living environment for residents."