New Tuas sorting facility prepares Singapore for full beverage return rollout in October.
Singapore’s beverage deposit system is scaling up, with more than 33 million bottles and cans already returned as a new automated sorting facility processes the collected containers.
More Than 33 Million Containers Returned
More than 33 million beverage containers had been returned through reverse vending machines as of September 13, according to scheme operator BCRS Ltd. Around 553 tonnes of material had been processed at the new Tuas facility, with plastic accounting for approximately 55 percent and metal making up the remaining 45 percent. The number of returned containers increased roughly sixfold from the 5.5 million reported on August 5.
Tuas Facility Automates Sorting Process
A new 2,000 sq m counting and sorting facility in Tuas, operational since August, processes containers before sending the recovered materials to recyclers. The solar-powered facility uses cameras, robotic arms, magnets, air systems and infrared technology to separate steel, aluminum and different types of plastic. It can handle up to 45 tonnes, or about two million containers, per day, while currently processing around 20 tonnes daily.
Consumers Receive 10-Cent Deposit Refund
Singapore’s Beverage Container Return Scheme began on April 1, 2026. Consumers pay a refundable S$0.10 deposit when purchasing eligible pre-packaged plastic or metal beverage containers ranging from 150ml to 3,000ml. The deposit can be recovered when marked containers are returned through participating reverse vending machines.
Network Expands Ahead of October Rollout
Around 1,300 Return Right reverse vending machines are currently operating across Singapore, with another 200 planned. The scheme remains in a transition period as retailers phase out beverages without the required deposit mark. From October 1, beverages covered by the scheme that do not carry the deposit mark can no longer be sold. Eligible smaller retailers having difficulty clearing unmarked stock may apply for an additional one-month grace period by registering with the National Environment Agency by the end of September.
Scheme Targets 80 Percent Return Rate
BCRS aims to recover at least 60 percent of eligible beverage containers during its first year, rising to 80 percent from 2029. Once fully operational, the system is expected to have capacity for roughly one billion containers and more than 16,000 tonnes of material annually. BCRS chief executive Stephanie Yip said the operator intends to improve the system over time while maintaining transparency around collection and sorting.
The rapid increase in returned containers and the opening of the Tuas facility mark a major expansion of Singapore’s beverage recycling infrastructure ahead of the October rollout. For Singaporeans, the system directly changes how disposable drink containers are purchased and returned. For Indonesians, Singapore’s deposit-based model offers a nearby example of how large-scale collection, automated sorting and consumer incentives can be integrated into a recycling system.
Sources: Red Hot SG (2026) , Yahoo! News Singapore (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Beverage Return Scheme, BCRS Singapore, Tuas Recycling Facility, Reverse Vending Machines, Singapore Recycling, Return Right
