Over 95% of beverage container refunds made on the spot, failed claims to be processed within 10 days
As of October, more than 95% of transactions at Singapore’s beverage container return machines were refunded on the spot, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Wednesday (4 Nov).
For unsuccessful transactions, a considerable proportion appeared to be due to users being unfamiliar with the refund process.
To simplify matters, BCRS Limited has been progressively rolling out a digital refund portal since 1 Oct.
Source: Return Right with BCRS on Facebook
Under the new process, users can submit their personal details through a pre-populated online form instead of emailing the company.
Refunds are expected to be made within 10 working days, down from up to 30 working days previously.
QR code allows users to request manual refunds
Dr Janil was responding to questions from Member of Parliament (MP) Lee Hong Chuang about safeguards for consumers who successfully returned their beverage containers but encountered machine or system errors.
Mr Lee also asked whether the Ministry would establish service standards for machine reliability, maintenance and refund processing.
He asked if authorities would penalise the operator for failing to meet these standards.
Source: MDDI Singapore on YouTube
In response, Dr Janil said a QR code was already available to direct users who experienced failed refunds to a pre-filled form for manual refund requests.
The process allows affected consumers to submit their claims more easily.
According to a joint media factsheet issued on 30 Sept, users can scan the QR code printed on their service ticket or visit the Return Right website to upload a photo of it.
Source: Return Right with BCRS on Facebook
Transaction details will be pre-filled where possible. Users will need to provide their remaining details, including their full name, bank name and bank account number.
Once verified, refunds submitted through the portal are typically credited within 10 working days. This is subject to the receiving bank’s processing time.
Some claims may take longer if additional information or verification is required.
BCRS has service standards, further penalties may be considered
Dr Janil said BCRS would continue improving its processes, while the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment would closely monitor the operator.
“We do indeed have service standards that are imposed on BCRS Limited, and they are reporting standards as well, addressing issues to do with availability and reliability,” Dr Janil said.
“We will work with them to improve the processes, including the refund processes, and will consider introducing further penalties if necessary.”
Source: MDDI Singapore on YouTube
More than 48 million containers returned during transition period
Singapore’s Beverage Container Return Scheme entered full implementation on 1 Oct following a six-month transition period.
Under the scheme, eligible pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers ranging from 150ml to 3 litres carry a refundable 10-cent deposit.
Consumers can receive their deposits back by returning eligible empty containers at designated Return Right machines.
Source: Instagram
As of 27 Sept, the scheme had collected more than 48 million beverage containers. This diverted over 823 tonnes of material for processing and recycling instead of incineration.
More than 1,300 Return Right machines had also been deployed and were operational, placing over 90% of HDB residents within a five-minute walk of a return point.
The number of return points is expected to grow to around 2,000 within the scheme’s first year of implementation.
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Featured image adapted from MDDI Singapore on YouTube and Facebook.
