Beverage Container Return Scheme in Singapore
As saving the Earth becomes more pressing a need than ever before, Singapore is ramping up rewards for those who recycle. First, there were smart recycling machines in heartland neighbourhoods that doled out FairPrice vouchers. And come 1st April 2026, the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) will officially be launched.
It ain’t an April Fool’s joke, either, although some might be sceptical given that this scheme has been in talks since 2020, and was originally set to roll out in 2022. It was then postponed to 2024 to give drink manufacturers more time to adjust their products accordingly, then delayed again till 2026, which brings us to today.
Here’s the lowdown on how you’ll get to claim 10 cents for every recycled beverage can or bottle:
How does the Beverage Container Return Scheme work?
In a bid to get Singaporeans to be more active in recycling and cut down on waste disposed, bottled and canned drinks will cost an additional 10 cents at retail. You will be able to get a full refund of this 10 cents “deposit” when you return the empty beverage containers at designated drop-off points, called Reverse Vending Machines or RVMs. Over 1,000 RVMs will be set up all around Singapore, at places like supermarkets and communal areas.
Image credit: NEA
This will apply to pre-packaged beverages in plastic bottles and metal cans, ranging from 150ml to 3 litres in volume. You’ll be able to spot a Beverage Container Return Scheme marking on the packaging of participating products.
Transition period extended from 3 months to 6 months
Here’s the thing though: although the scheme now has an official launch date of 1st April 2026, the original transition period of 3 months upon roll-out has been extended to 6 months. This will allow stakeholders – think beverage companies and manufacturing operators – to provide the supply of new BCRS logo-sporting packaging, whilst clearing out the previous inventory of non-BCRS products.
What does this mean for us consumers? Expect to see a mix of both BCRS and non-BCRS drinks on the shelves while shopping, or served to you at F&B establishments.
This also gives us a longer period of adjustment to get used to depositing the BCRS-marked bottles and cans at the RVMs, and for RVM operators to be able to manage the surge in deposits and tailor their clearance manpower accordingly.
Deposit bottled & canned drinks to get 10 cents apiece
Image credit: NEA
It’s no secret that us Singaporeans love savings. And if this scheme allows all of us to be more mindful of and active in recycling plastic and metal, that’s a win-win. While it may take a little getting used to for those who don’t already have the habit of recycling, just remember that every drink container counts. Little by little, it all adds up in our contributions to sustainability.
Find out more about the Beverage Container Return Scheme
For more on recycling in Singapore: