Beverage Container Return Scheme 2026

Singapore's Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), branded for consumers as Return Right, commenced on 1 April 2026. It is a producer-led Extended Producer Responsibility scheme managed by Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd., a not-for-profit operator licensed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) (NEA, accessed 5 September 2026).

Scope and refundable deposit

The scheme covers pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers from 150 ml to 3 litres, including water, soft drinks, juices, dairy drinks and alcohol. Eligible containers carry the BCRS Deposit Mark and a 10¢ refundable deposit; glass, cartons, pouches, freshly prepared drinks and containers outside the size range are excluded (NEA, For Consumers, accessed 5 September 2026).

Transition and full implementation

From 1 April to 30 September 2026, consumers may see both labelled and unlabelled stock during the scheme's six-month transition while producers and retailers clear existing inventory. A container without the Deposit Mark does not attract the deposit and is not eligible for a Return Right refund. From 1 October 2026, all regulated beverage products supplied in Singapore must carry the Deposit Mark and the 10¢ deposit (NEA, For Consumers, accessed 5 September 2026).

Returning containers and interpretation boundary

Consumers can return an eligible, empty and uncrushed container with a scannable barcode at a Return Right reverse vending machine to receive the 10¢ refund through available electronic payment methods. NEA planned more than 1,000 return points at launch and a network expansion toward 2,000 within the first year. The deposit is tied to the eligible container; it is not a general rebate for every drink package or an instruction to place excluded packaging in reverse vending machines (NEA, For Consumers, accessed 5 September 2026).