BCRS fully implemented from 1 Oct, 10-cent deposit mark required on eligible drink containers
Singapore’s Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) enters full implementation on Thursday (1 Oct), with eligible drink containers carrying a 10-cent refundable deposit.
Under the scheme, regulated pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers between 150ml and 3 litres must carry a Deposit Mark.
Source: Facebook
Consumers can get the full deposit back by returning eligible empty containers at designated Return Right machines across Singapore.
According to a news release by the National Environment Agency (NEA) seen by MS News, more than 48 million beverage containers had been collected as of 27 Sept.
Over 823 tonnes of material have also been diverted for processing and recycling instead of incineration.
Family says BCRS turned recycling into ‘mini treasure hunt’
For Mdm Lim, 42, BCRS has made recycling a more engaging activity for her family.
She is the mother of Ethan Chai, whose social media video about the scheme gained traction online.
She said the family initially expected to teach Ethan about recycling.
Instead, the young boy became their “little recycling boss”, making sure eligible bottles and cans were washed and left to dry before being returned.
Source: @eve_ethan1218 on TikTok
“Spotting that 10-cent Return Right mark feels like a mini treasure hunt to him.”
Mdm Lim said BCRS has made recycling “simple, rewarding, and accessible for all ages”.
“If a few 10-cent rewards can make doing good for the environment feel like a fun game, why not give it a try?”
Source: @eve_ethan1218 on TikTok
More than 1,300 Return Right machines deployed
BCRS said more than 1,300 Return Right machines are currently operational.
This puts more than 90% of HDB residents within a five-minute walk of a return point, it said.
Source: Instagram
Machines are also available at major supermarkets, industrial estates, Institutes of Higher Learning and other high-footfall locations.
The scheme is on track to expand to around 2,000 return points within its first year.
All hawker centres have a machine on-site or nearby, while many coffeeshops in HDB estates will also be within reach.
The average number of containers returned per transaction has also risen from 2.8 in April to 8.2 in September.
Refund process to be made simpler, digital refund portal introduced
BCRS is introducing a digital refund portal for users who receive a service ticket after encountering transaction issues.
A soft rollout will begin on 1 Oct at machines operated by SG Recycle in northern and western Singapore, before expanding islandwide.
Users can scan the QR code on their service ticket or visit the Return Right website to upload a photo of the ticket.
Transaction details will be pre-filled where possible.
After providing their remaining details, including their name, bank and account number, users can submit the refund request.
Verified refunds are expected to reach users’ bank accounts within 10 working days, down from up to 30 working days previously.
Users encouraged to return containers on weekdays
BCRS said Return Right machines are cleaned and serviced at least once a day.
Source: Return Right with BCRS on Facebook
It also works with partners, including supermarkets, to clear bins promptly during peak periods.
Based on current data, demand is highest from weekend evenings through Monday.
Users are therefore encouraged to return containers on weekdays where possible and check the Return Right website for live bin status before visiting a machine.
Containers should also be empty and, where possible, rinsed before being returned.
BCRS said residual liquids may affect machine performance and cleanliness.
Smaller retailers given more time to clear old stock
Smaller retailers and non-profit organisations can receive a grace period until 31 Oct to clear remaining non-BCRS-labelled beverage stock.
This follows an announcement by NEA on 18 Sept, following industry feedback.
Source: Janil Puthucheary on Facebook
As of noon on 30 Sept, NEA had received more than 2,700 applications.
The applications mainly came from smaller retailers such as provision shops, neighbourhood convenience stores and standalone food shops.
Of the more than 2,300 applications processed, around 90% had been approved.
Non-profit organisations granted the grace period can continue receiving and distributing donated non-BCRS-labelled beverages to beneficiaries until 31 Oct. They are not to sell these beverages.
Source: SG News Warehouse Sale & Events on Facebook, for illustrative purposes only
More than 2,700 F&B outlets signed up
More than 2,700 F&B outlets have signed up for the Return Right F&B Scheme since it launched on 3 March.
NEA also received close to 1,700 applications for its one-time S$500 incentive for food shops.
Meanwhile, more than 700 producers had registered under BCRS as of 30 Sept.
These producers are eligible for the S$2,500 BCRS Producer Transition Grant, with more than 270 having started using the grant.
Source: Beverage Container Return Scheme website
More than 48 million containers collected
As of 27 Sept, BCRS had collected more than 48 million beverage containers.
Around 55% of the material collected are plastics, while 45% are metal.
Every returned container is sorted and processed at the Counting and Sorting Facility in Tuas before being sent for recycling.
Picture courtesy of BCRS Ltd
BCRS and NEA have also conducted outreach sessions to familiarise consumers with the scheme.
This includes more than 360 heartland supermarket roadshows since 1 April, where shoppers received guidance on making their first returns and using Return Right machines.
BCRS has also conducted 18 workshops at Active Ageing Centres, reaching more than 650 seniors.
According to NEA, an interim survey of 79 participants found that 97% considered the return process “easy” or “very easy”, while all participants could confidently identify containers carrying the Deposit Mark.
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Featured image adapted from SG News Warehouse Sale & Events on Facebook, Instagram and @eve_ethan1218 on TikTok.
