Retailers race to label or remove unmarked stock as beverage container return scheme’s transition period ends

As the new Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) comes into full effect on Thursday, October 1, Singapore's retailers are rushing to ensure their shelves are stocked with compliant products. Major supermarket chains have made the deadline, but smaller retailers, convenience stores and provision shops are still struggling to remove unmarked drinks from their shelves.

In response to the looming deadline, over 2,000 merchants, predominantly small retailers and convenience stores, have requested a one-month grace period. The National Environment Agency (NEA) approved approximately 85% of these requests and is speeding up the remaining ones.

Before the deadline, CNA observed a mix of marked and unmarked beverages in retail stores and coffee shops across Singapore. Despite spending their entire shift applying deposit mark stickers, one store still had hundreds of unmarked drinks left.

Several retailers, such as Don Don Donki and Little Farms, have implemented discounts on their unmarked beverages to encourage customers to purchase marked products. Some retailers, like Sheng Siong and Cold Storage, have reported making progress in clearing their unmarked stock, thanks to close collaboration with suppliers.

The extra grace period allows smaller businesses to avoid financial losses and transition smoothly to the BCRS-compliant system.