Beverage container return scheme to kick off on April 1 but transition period will be 6 months
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Under the beverage container return scheme, consumers will pay an extra 10 cents for bottled and canned drinks but will later receive a full refund of the deposit when they return the empty containers.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – The beverage container return scheme
Under the scheme, consumers will pay an extra 10 cents for bottled and canned drinks ranging from 150ml to 3 litres, but will later receive a full refund of the deposit when they return empty beverage containers that carry the scheme’s deposit mark at designated return points across the island.
The extension of the transition period to Sept 30 means that while the scheme officially begins on April 1, most beverage containers that are eligible for the refundable 10-cent deposit are likely to hit the shelves only closer to the later part of the transition.
Dr Janil noted that there are several stakeholders involved in the initiative, including scheme operator Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) Limited, a not-for-profit company formed by a consortium of beverage producers – comprising Coca-Cola Singapore Beverages, F&N Foods and Pokka – that will oversee the process.
According to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) website, “during the transition period, both non-BCRS-labelled and BCRS-labelled stocks can be sold, where the former will not have a 10-cent deposit, while the latter will have a 10-cent deposit included”.
An earlier announcement had said there would be a transition period until June 30
More than 1,000 return points will be located at supermarkets and in communal areas.
In his Facebook post, Dr Janil, who is also Senior Minister of State for Education, called the scheme a “significant step towards Singapore’s circular economy goals, encouraging the recycling of beverage containers like metal cans and plastic bottles”.
The scheme is expected to run for seven years until March 31, 2033.
Dr Janil said feedback was given that the original three-month transition period may not be enough for companies to clear their existing beverage stocks.
“In response, we’ve extended the transition period to six months – spanning April 1 to Sept 30,” he said.
In the coming weeks, BCRS will share more details on the scheme with the public.
These include spotting the scheme’s mark on beverage containers and where to return these empty containers.
Dr Janil added that there will be more outreach and engagement with all producers, retailers and food and beverage outlets during this time to raise awareness of the scheme.
The launch of the scheme comes after a few delays.
In 2020, NEA said the return scheme for drink containers would be implemented by 2022. But that year, the agency said the scheme’s proposed start date would be by mid-2024.
In July 2024, it was reported that the scheme was delayed again
In his Facebook post, Dr Janil urged the public to “make this change happen, one container at a time”, and reminded Singaporeans that every returned container makes a difference for future generations.
