Forum: Return Right scheme complements existing recycling efforts 

We thank Mr Woon Kok Keong for his letter “Beverage container returning points are inconvenient for those who already recycle” (March 23).

It is heartening to hear of Mr Woon’s dedicated recycling routine. It is this spirit of stewardship that will help extend the lifespan of the Pulau Semakau landfill.

The upcoming Return Right – Beverage Container Return Scheme, launching on April 1, is designed to complement, and not replace, the recycling habits of residents like Mr Woon. While the blue bins remain a vital pillar for general recycling of paper and glass as well as plastic and metal materials, the new scheme aims to improve the recycling of beverage containers and build better recycling habits.

Separating these beverage containers at the source through Return Right machines creates a “cleaner stream” of high-quality materials. This ensures that what is collected can be recycled into new products, giving them a second life.

We understand the concern regarding convenience. More than 1,000 Return Right machines will be deployed across Singapore from the scheme’s launch. Based on this initial deployment, over 90 per cent of HDB households will be within a five-minute walk of a machine. These include over 430 supermarkets and retail outlets and more than 610 town council-managed areas. 

Residents can find their nearest Return Right machine at returnright.sg, which also lists an additional 160 upcoming locations to be deployed as the scheme scales up. As with any new national scheme, there will be an adjustment period. We will continue to monitor feedback on accessibility and convenience closely as the network rolls out.

Our goal is for these return points to become a natural part of everyone’s daily routine. Making this small change in how we handle our beverage containers will ensure our recycling efforts truly count towards a sustainable Singapore.

Stephanie Yip
Chief Executive Officer
Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd