Beverage Container Return Scheme in Force Pursuant to Resource Sustainability Act 2019

On 12 July 2024, the Beverage Container Return Scheme (“Scheme“) under the new Part 4B of Resource Sustainability Act 2019, as introduced by the Resource Sustainability (Amendment) Act 2023, came into force.

Adopting an extended producer responsibility approach, the Scheme aims to increase the recycling rate of beverage containers and reduce the amount of waste disposed of as well as carbon emissions, while raising consumer awareness of the importance of recycling and encouraging good recycling practices.

The Scheme will commence on 1 April 2026, revised from the 1 April 2025 date announced earlier, to allow more time for beverage producers and retailers to work with the newly-licensed Scheme operator Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd (“BCRS Ltd“) to design and operationalise the Scheme smoothly for the convenience of consumers. The Scheme covers pre-packaged beverages in plastic and metal containers ranging from 150 millilitres to three litres supplied in Singapore.

Key features of the Scheme include:

(a)      BCRS Ltd as the licensed Scheme operator to be responsible for designing and operating the Scheme, encompassing aspects of collecting, sorting and recycling of beverage containers.  BCRS Ltd is a not-for-profit company incorporated by a consortium of beverage producers.

(b)      Required participation in the Scheme by all producers (e.g. importers and manufacturers) of pre-packaged beverages that supply beverages in Singapore. Producers are to: (i) register as members with the Scheme operator; (ii) register their beverage products; (iii) pay fees (per container placed on the market) to the Scheme operator to collect and recycle empty beverage containers on their behalf; and (iv) pay refundable deposits (per container per prescribed beverage product) to the Scheme operator. 

(c)      Labelling of containers of prescribed beverage products with: (i) a deposit mark for customers to identify prescribed beverage products; and (ii) a barcode to facilitate the acceptance of empty beverage containers at designated return points. 

(d)      A 10-cent refundable deposit that will be applied on all prescribed beverage products. The deposit is first provided by the producer to the Scheme operator and is refunded along the resource loop via the return point operator, consumer, then retailer. 

(e)    Designated return points, where any person may obtain a refund of the deposit by returning the empty beverage container. Larger supermarket outlets with a floor area of more than 200 square metres will be required to set up return points.

By the full implementation date of the Scheme on 1 July 2026, all beverage containers falling within the Scheme must be labelled with the deposit mark and carry a 10-cent deposit. There will be a transition period between 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026 for the beverage and retail industry to clear old stocks that are not labelled with the Scheme deposit mark.

Rajah & Tann Singapore is advising BCRS Ltd. in relation to the Scheme.

Click on the following links for more information:

• Resource Sustainability (Amendment) Act 2023 (available on the Singapore Statues Online website at  www.sso.agc.gov.sg)
• National Environment Agency (“NEA“) Media Release titled “NEA Licenses Scheme Operator To Design And Operate The Beverage Container Return Scheme” (available on the NEA website at www.nea.gov.sg