{
  "id": 209092,
  "title": "300 more beverage container return machines to be deployed at institutes of higher learning, industrial areas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/300-more-beverage-container-return-machines-to-be-deployed-at",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T07:15:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/beverage-container-return-scheme-more-machines-ihls-dormitories-tourist-spots-6302951"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) in Singapore is set to expand its reach by adding 300 more reverse vending machines in new locations, such as universities, worker dormitories, industrial parks, recreational areas, and tourist spots. This comes as part of the initiative to boost recycling rates and increase the number of returned containers for recycling. Over 90% of Housing and Development Board (HDB) households are currently within a five-minute walk of a return machine. Since April 1, when the scheme began, more than 5.5 million empty drink containers have been collected, with over one million successful transactions. The government aims to achieve a 60% return rate within the first year, with a goal of reaching 80% by 2029, the third year of the scheme. Consumers can return eligible drink containers, which are pre-packaged beverage containers made of plastic or metal with a BCRS deposit mark, at these machines to receive a refund of S$0.10. The scheme is operated by BCRS Ltd, a not-for-profit company formed by a consortium of beverage producers. The operator has made improvements to the return experience based on insights gathered during the transition period, including redesigning the user interface, extending the refund timeout, and improving audio cues. The BCRS Ltd is also collaborating with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and other stakeholders to prepare for the scheme's full implementation and encourage public participation.",
  "summary": "BCRS Ltd said it is applying what it learnt during the early days of the scheme to improve the return experience, enhance the refund processes and recalibrate the machines' container recognition abilities.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}