19 August 2026
By: Ice Cool Admin
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If you’ve bought a canned drink or bottled beverage in Singapore recently, you may have noticed a small new logo appearing on the label — and a little extra on your receipt. That’s the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) in action, and it’s one of the most exciting steps Singapore has taken yet towards becoming a Zero Waste Nation under the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
At Ice Cool, we’re proud to support this national recycling movement. In this guide, we break down exactly what BCRS is, how to identify eligible containers, how the deposit and refund process works, and how you can play your part — while enjoying your favourite ice-cold drinks from our shelves.
The Beverage Container Return Scheme is a nationwide “deposit-refund” recycling programme designed to encourage everyone in Singapore to return their empty plastic bottles and metal cans instead of throwing them away. It’s a simple idea with a powerful outcome: give every container a small monetary value, and people will want to bring it back for recycling rather than let it end up in a landfill or as litter.
The scheme is managed by BCRS Ltd, a not-for-profit, industry-led operator, and is supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Returned containers are collected via a network of reverse vending machines (RVMs) branded Return Right, which are being rolled out islandwide.
You can find full official details directly from the scheme operator at bcrs.sg.
Every bottle or can that gets returned through BCRS is a bottle or can that doesn’t end up incinerated or in our limited landfill space at Pulau Semakau. Here’s why the scheme matters:
Did you know? Singapore’s only landfill, Pulau Semakau, has a finite lifespan. Every container recycled through BCRS instead of thrown away helps extend the life of this precious national resource.
Not every drink container is part of the scheme yet, so here’s what to check for before you toss (or return) a bottle or can:
As BCRS rolls out progressively, you’ll start to see the Deposit Mark on more and more products across supermarkets, convenience stores, and online retailers like Ice Cool.
Every BCRS-marked container carries a small refundable deposit of 10 cents, added at checkout when you purchase the drink. This isn’t an extra fee — it’s fully yours to reclaim. Simply return the empty container to a Return Right reverse vending machine, and you’ll get the full 10 cents back, instantly.
Think of it less as a cost, and more as a mini “recycling reward” waiting to be collected every time you finish a drink.
Returning your empty bottles and cans takes less than a minute. Here’s how it works at any Return Right machine:
That’s it — no queuing at a counter, no paperwork, just a quick tap-and-return process that fits easily into your day.
Return Right reverse vending machines are being deployed islandwide, with over a thousand machines already placed at:
The best part? You can return an eligible container at any participating Return Right machine, regardless of which store you originally bought the drink from. So whether you’re heading home, grabbing groceries, or out for a walk around your neighbourhood, there’s likely a return point nearby.
Still unsure where to find the Return Right reverse vending machine? Visit the Return Right website to find a Return Right machine close to you!
1 April 2026 — BCRS officially launches, with reverse vending machines rolled out islandwide and the first BCRS-marked containers hitting shelves.
April – September 2026 (Transition Period) — Retailers gradually phase in Deposit Mark-labelled stock alongside existing inventory, giving producers and retailers time to transition smoothly.
By 1 October 2026 — Full implementation. All regulated pre-packaged beverages sold in Singapore will carry the BCRS Deposit Mark and the 10-cent deposit, completing the nationwide rollout.
We’re right in the middle of this exciting transition, which means it’s the perfect time to start building the habit of returning your containers — so it feels completely second nature by the time the scheme is in full swing.
Browse our range of BCRS-participating bottles and cans below and do your bit for the environment with every sip.
Every bottle and can you buy from Ice Cool and return through BCRS is a small step towards a cleaner, greener Singapore. Explore our full range of refreshing drinks and be part of the change — one refund at a time. At the time of writing, BCRS deposit is included in the price of product shown on our website. BCRS deposit is not subjected to GST.
BCRS is a national deposit-refund recycling scheme where a 10-cent refundable deposit is charged on eligible plastic bottles and metal cans. Consumers get the deposit back in full when they return the empty container to a Return Right reverse vending machine.
The deposit is 10 cents per eligible container, added at the point of purchase and fully refunded when the empty container is returned.
Check the label for the official BCRS Deposit Mark. Only pre-packaged plastic bottles and metal cans between 150ml and 3 litres carrying this mark are eligible.
You can return eligible containers at any Return Right reverse vending machine islandwide, including those at major supermarkets, HDB void decks, and hawker centres — regardless of where you bought the drink.
Refunds are credited instantly at the reverse vending machine via your SimplyGo EZ-Link card or DBS PayLah! app.
BCRS launched on 1 April 2026, with a transition period allowing retailers to phase in Deposit Mark-labelled products. By 1 October 2026, all regulated beverage containers sold in Singapore are expected to carry the Deposit Mark and deposit.
BCRS is operated by BCRS Ltd, a not-for-profit industry consortium, with support from Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA). More details are available at bcrs.sg.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
