Retailers race to label or remove unmarked stock as beverage container return scheme’s transition period ends
Despite offering steep discounts and having six months of lead time, some retailers say they have struggled to offload non-compliant products in time.
As the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) officially begins on October 1, Singaporean retailers have been working non-stop to remove unmarked beverages from their shelves and replenish their inventories with compliant products. Despite a six-month transition period and significant discounts, some retailers, particularly smaller heartland operators and provision stores, have struggled to meet the deadline.
More than 2,000 merchants applied for a one-month grace period to help them transition smoothly. Suppliers and producers in Singapore charge a 10-cent deposit on metal and plastic drink containers, which consumers can reclaim by returning empty containers to Return Right reverse vending machines. The scheme aims to encourage recycling and reduce waste.
Despite the challenges, big supermarket chains have largely complied with the new regulations, ensuring that regulated beverage products are marked with the deposit sticker. However, smaller retailers like K-Market and Don Don Donki have been granted the one-month grace period to label their unmarked products and avoid potential financial losses.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
