Lao Ban Soya Beancurd confirms S$0.10 BCRS deposit applies to its cups as drinks are pre-packaged

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd says S$0.10 BCRS deposit was charged since 1 Oct

Popular soya milk chain Lao Ban Soya Beancurd has confirmed that a S$0.10 deposit under the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) has been applied to its drinks since 1 Oct.

The clarification came after a netizen posted on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page, sharing a photo of a Lao Ban drink that had the BCRS logo pasted on it.

OP surprised to find Lao Ban cups covered under BCRS

In the post on 24 Sept, the original poster (OP) expressed apparent surprise to find that Lao Ban cups were also covered under the BCRS initiative.

Other users were similarly shocked, with one advising the OP not to get the paper sticker wet or they would not be able to claim back the deposit.

Another commenter rightly pointed out that the BCRS deposit applied to all pre-packaged beverages.

Lao Ban says BCRS deposit charged since 1 Oct

In a Facebook post on Wednesday (21 Oct), Lao Ban said the S$0.10 BCRS deposit was added to their drinks since 1 Oct, three weeks before the post.

This was the date when BCRS was fully implemented.

Customers will get the deposit back when they return the empty drink cup at a Return Right machine.

“By returning eligible containers for recycling, we can help reduce waste, conserve valuable resources and build a greener future for the next generation,” it added.

Lao Ban drinks fall under BCRS as they’re pre-sealed

In response to a comment on the post saying that Lao Ban was “categorised like a Coke”, the chain explained that its soya milk is freshly made daily from a central kitchen.

It’s then delivered to their retail outlets and supermarkets.

However, as the drinks are pre-sealed, they are regulated under the BCRS initiative.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), all pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers are included in the scheme.

Beverages excluded from the BCRS deposit include those that are freshly prepared, i.e. made and sold in the same premises — such as freshly brewed coffee or tea, bubble tea and freshly squeezed juices — or prepared at a central F&B establishment for sale by the same operator.

Also read: Migrant worker photographs 8 big bags of bottles & cans at BCRS machine, says BCRS helps keep paths cleaner

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Featured image adapted from Concerning parent 101 via Complaint Singapore on Facebook and Google Maps.