Beverage container return scheme launch pushed back by a year
The scheme's commencement was pushed back at the request of a consortium of beverage producers who will design and operate it, said the National Environment Agency.
by Rachel Lim · CNA · JoinSINGAPORE: The launch of the beverage container return scheme has been pushed back to give beverage producers and retailers sufficient time to design and operationalise it, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Wednesday (Jul 31).
The scheme, which aims to manage packaging waste in Singapore, was meant to commence on Apr 1, 2025.
It will now launch a year later, on Apr 1, 2026, said NEA in a media release on Wednesday.
NEA provided the update as it announced that it had on Monday issued a licence to Beverage Container Return Scheme Limited (BCRS Ltd) to design and operate the scheme.
BCRS Ltd is a newly incorporated not-for-profit company that was formed by a consortium of beverage producers who had expressed interest in applying to operate the scheme in May 2023. The members of the consortium are Coca-Cola Singapore Beverages, F&N Foods and Pokka.
According to NEA, the launch date of the scheme was pushed back at the request of the consortium after it “took more time than anticipated to submit a proposal that addressed its various operational and business considerations”.
“This revision is to provide sufficient time for BCRS Ltd, beverage producers and retailers to design and operationalise the scheme smoothly for the convenience of consumers,” the agency said.
NEA added that the consortium had pledged to abide by all prescribed conditions related to operating the scheme and to launch the scheme on Apr 1, 2026.
Under the beverage container return scheme, pre-packaged beverages in plastic and metal containers ranging from 150ml to 3L will have a 10-cent refundable deposit applied to them.
Consumers will be able to claim a full refund of the deposit if they return their empty beverage containers at designated return points like reverse vending machines. The relevant containers will be labelled with a deposit mark.
“The scheme aims to increase the recycling rate of beverage containers, thus diverting recyclable material away from waste incineration and landfill,” NEA said.
“The scheme will also foster a culture of recycling among Singaporeans and raise consumer awareness on the importance of recycling.”
All producers that import or manufacture covered beverage products will have to participate in the scheme.
“As the licensed operator, BCRS Ltd will be responsible for collecting plastic and metal beverage containers for recycling on behalf of all beverage producers in Singapore for a period of seven years, from Apr 1, 2026, to Mar 31, 2033,” NEA said.
BCRS Ltd will act on behalf of all beverage producers, and it is required by law to appoint at least two board directors to represent the interests of smaller beverage producers.
“It will oversee end-to-end management of the returned beverage containers and ensure that the fees for stakeholders involved in the scheme will be fair, transparent and equitable,” NEA said.
“It will provide the start-up capital to initiate the scheme operations and maintain sufficient reserves to cover the operation of the scheme under all circumstances.
“BCRS Ltd will need to maintain data protection systems to protect against data loss, unauthorised access, modification, disclosure and misuse.”
LEAD-UP TO SCHEME
In the lead-up to the launch of the scheme, BCRS Ltd will have to set up a network of more than 1,000 beverage container return points.
The scheme will be fully implemented on Jul 1, 2026, and by then, all beverage containers will have to be labelled with the deposit mark and carry a 10-cent deposit, said NEA.
A transition period from Apr 1, 2026, to Jun 30, 2026, will allow beverage producers and retailers to clear older stocks that are ineligible for refunds before that date.
NEA said that the target return rate of the scheme from its third year is 80 per cent.
“NEA will work closely with BCRS Ltd to organise outreach programmes to raise awareness among the public and industry about the scheme, and to promote a culture of recycling,” said the agency.
A website which includes information on the return point locations and educational and promotional events will also be launched.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app