Singapore has launched the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), a national initiative to cultivate a recycling culture, reduce waste, and extend the lifespan of Semakau Landfill by automatically sorting high-quality recyclables. Central to this initiative are over 1,000 newly installed Return Right reverse vending machines (RVM) across the country, where you can return eligible plastic and metal drink containers.
How does it work? Easy. You pay an extra 10 cents upfront when you buy your drink, and you get it back when you return the beverage container through the machines.
Which Containers Are Eligible
Not all beverage containers are eligible for this 10-cent refund, so be sure to check if your containers check off these boxes to meet the requirements:
- Official Logo: The containers must have the official “BCRS Deposit Mark” printed on the label. The machine will reject containers without the deposit mark.
- Washed Or At Least Emptied: Ensuring there is no liquid residue is a must. While it is not necessary for the refund, you should give the containers a quick rinse.
- Good Condition: The bottles and cans should not be crushed or flattened and must be in their original shape with caps and labels intact for the machine to scan the barcode.
- Size and Capacity: Only pre-packaged plastic bottles and metal cans ranging from 150ml to 3L are eligible.
How To Use The Return Right Reverse Vending Machine
Step 1: Tap the screen to start.
Step 2: Place the eligible containers one by one into the opening slot.
Step 3: Wait for the machine to scan the barcodes individually.
Step 4: Select your preferred instant digital payment mode (SimplyGo EZ-Link or DBS PayLah!) on the screen.
Step 5: Claim your refund by either tapping your SimplyGo EZ-Link card or scanning your DBS PayLah! QR code.
Why Don’t All Containers Have The Logo
This scheme is currently in Phase 1, a 6-month transition period, which ends on 30 September 2026.
During this period, you might still see many beverage bottles and cans without the “Deposit Mark”. You will not be charged the extra 10 cents when you purchase these beverages, as they cannot be returned at the reverse vending machines.
By 1 October 2026, all regulated beverage products sold in Singapore must feature the BCRS Deposit Mark and charge the mandatory 10-cent deposit.
How Much Will The BCRS Cost Households If They Don’t Return Right
If an individual drinks one drink with the BCRS Deposit Mark per day, they would have been charged an additional $36.50 per year: 365 days x $0.10 = $36.50.
If you don’t return the container to a Return Right machine, you are effectively losing out on that refund.
If a household of 4 has one drink each per day, it would cost them $146 per year. It might not seem like much initially, but these costs add up over time, so make sure you keep the containers and get your refund when it’s convenient.
Fortunately, there are over 1,000 machines across the island, many of which are located near supermarkets or in HDB void decks for added convenience. According to the National Environment Agency, 90 per cent of HDB households are within a five-minute walk of an RVM. They are even located as far away as Tuas and Changi Airport. It’s a win-win situation: you get your money back and also learn good recycling habits.
Source: ReturnRight.sg
Why Implement The BCRS Now
According to the NEA, packaging waste accounts for one-third of Singapore’s domestic waste. Unfortunately, our overall recycling rate remains low. The BCRS will cover more than one billion beverage containers used and help recover over 16,000 tonnes of recyclable material every year. This means less incinerated waste and lower carbon emissions.
The BCRS also aims to teach good recycling habits, such as being more mindful of the packaging used and to empty bottles and cans before recycling them.
Read Also: I Tried To Recycle My Trash For A Day, This How It Went
