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

Migrant workers are returning large quantities of empty beverage containers at the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), with one worker saying Singapore’s new recycling scheme has helped keep nearby paths cleaner.

In a Facebook post on 13 Oct, SG News Warehouse Sale & Events shared photos of eight large bags filled with cans, praising the workers’ recycling efforts.

According to the migrant worker who photographed the cans, the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) machine is maintained by supermarket staff.

Once the machine reaches 100% capacity, a staff member replaces the collection bags.

Migrant workers return cans at MWC daily

Speaking to MS News, the 27-year-old migrant worker from India who photographed the bags of BCRS cans said many migrant workers visit the location daily to return empty cans.

He told MS News that he works at the MWC food court.

According to him, workers collect empty bottles and cans before placing them into bags and returning them through the BCRS machine.

“There are a lot of bags every day because migrant workers return BCRS cans,” he told MS News.

He added that the centre has only one BCRS machine, which is maintained by supermarket staff.

The bottles and cans are then placed in a bag and left by the machine for the BCRS staff to collect.

On Monday (19 Oct), the same Facebook page posted an update that the bags were finally collected.

Worker says BCRS has helped keep nearby paths cleaner

The worker also believes the scheme has made a difference to the surrounding environment.

He has noticed fewer bottles and cans left along these paths since workers began returning their containers through BCRS.

“Before, I used to see many plastic bottles or cans along the bicycle paths on the road,” he said.

“After this scheme, I no longer see any more.”

He thanked the Singapore Government for introducing the scheme, adding that it has helped migrant workers contribute to recycling efforts.

BCRS collects over 48 million containers before full implementation

Singapore’s BCRS entered full implementation on 1 Oct, requiring eligible pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers between 150ml and 3 litres to carry a 10-cent refundable deposit mark.

Consumers can recover the deposit by returning eligible empty containers at designated Return Right machines.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), more than 48 million beverage containers had been collected as of 27 Sept, diverting over 823 tonnes of material for recycling instead of incineration.

More than 1,300 Return Right machines were operational, with the scheme targeting around 2,000 return points within its first year.

BCRS has also encouraged consumers to return containers on weekdays where possible, as demand is highest from weekend evenings through Monday.

Consumers are advised to check machine availability online before visiting and ensure containers are empty and, when possible, rinsed.

Also read: Rummaging through trash & removing items is illegal, says Grace Fu when asked about unhygienic practices under BCRS