Norwegian and Swedish recycling technology companies will play a central role in Singapore’s new nationwide Beverage Container Return Scheme, which launches on 1 April and is expected to handle more than one billion drink containers annually.
The scheme introduces a refundable 10-cent deposit on bottled and canned drinks ranging from 150ml to three litres, with consumers able to reclaim deposits at around 1,000 return points island-wide when the system starts.
Norwegian reverse vending machine company TOMRA is one of three operators under the scheme and will deploy at least 350 machines across Singapore’s central and north-east regions. Swedish company RVM Systems will supply machines in the eastern part of the city-state, while local operator SG Recycle will cover the west and north.
Most return points will consist of automated “reverse vending machines” capable of accepting empty bottles and cans and issuing refunds digitally. According to Singapore authorities, 90 per cent of residents living in public housing estates will be within a five-minute walk of a return point.
Refunds will primarily be made via ez-link cards, including student and senior concession cards, with additional digital payment methods to be announced. Machines will be located in supermarkets, housing estate void decks and town centres.
Speaking at the opening of TOMRA’s new Singapore office on 30 January, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary said the scheme would require adjustments in consumer habits, as residents become familiar with returning containers at designated points and using the machines.
TOMRA unveiled two machine models that will be installed across the city. Smaller units can crush and store up to 1,000 containers, while larger machines can hold up to 2,000. The company said it may consider installing container-sized units capable of handling around 8,000 bottles and cans if higher capacity is needed in the future.
The Norwegian company, which began operations in Singapore with a technology showroom in Ang Mo Kio in 2022, has now moved into a larger office and warehouse facility in Kallang. TOMRA said it will handle cleaning, maintenance and transport of collected containers in partnership with local cleaning company Chye Thiam Maintenance.
All collected recyclables will be transported to a sorting and counting facility jointly set up by the scheme operator, Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd (BCRS Ltd), and waste collector Cora Environment.
Although operated by BCRS Ltd, the scheme is funded through annual fees paid by beverage producers, including manufacturers, importers and distributors. Producers are required to pay a one-time registration fee and provide a 10-cent deposit for each container placed on the market.
The programme has drawn concerns from smaller producers over compliance costs and logistics, including labelling changes and manual application of deposit markings on imported drinks. In response, Singapore’s National Environment Agency announced a one-time grant of up to S$2,500 to help offset initial costs.
Once fully operational, the scheme is expected to recover more than 16,000 tonnes of recyclable material annually, making it one of the largest deposit-return systems implemented in a dense urban environment in Asia.
Here’s a guide to use the vending machine:
Where to find these recycling machines?
The reverse vending machines are conveniently placed at shopping malls, community centres and supermarkets.Here’s the list of locations where you can find the machines:
North
via NEA.South
via NEA.East
via NEA.West
via NEA.Central
via NEA.
