Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Recycling of Non-BCRS Containers

Question:

Mr David Hoe: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether NEA will consider measures to encourage recycling of plastic bottles and cans by (i) enabling Beverage Container Return Scheme reverse vending machines (RVMs) to accept ineligible plastic bottles and cans for recycling without refunds or (ii) placing clearly labelled recycling bins beside RVMs, so residents can conveniently recycle those containers that do not qualify for the deposit refund.

Answer:

With the full implementation of the Return Right Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) on 1 October 2026, all pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers ranging from 150 millilitres to 3 litres that are sold in Singapore are covered by the scheme, and are accepted at the Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).

For other beverage containers, we encourage everyone to recycle them using any of the blue recycling bins conveniently located in HDB and landed estates across Singapore. 

As the BCRS has just commenced, we will not review the operations at this time. We will consider this suggestion later when operations have stabilised.