Every can counts: Some of these BCRS hauls look like they could pay for a meal

How many bottles and cans have you recycled under the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) since it began in April?

For some Singapore residents, the amount of beverage containers they have collected could possibly net them a refund large enough to cover the cost of a meal.

For every eligible BCRS-labelled container returned to Return Right machines, consumers receive the deposit of 10 cents they paid at the point of purchase.

In a video uploaded by Instagram user umaidurai_1983 on Monday (Aug 10), three people are seen standing by a Return Right machine with large bags of metal cans.

Umai Durai, who states in his Instagram bio that he is a vlogger in Singapore, is heard explaining in Tamil how the BCRS scheme works.

As he speaks, a man places several containers into the reverse vending machine.

A woman waits beside with a bag containing numerous cans, including beer cans, placed on the floor.

Another bag of cans, stored in a shopping trolley, is seen behind the man.

The man concludes his transaction, opting to receive his refund by Ez-link card, and leaves with a bag in hand. It is unclear what his total refund amount came to.

Another woman then pushes the trolley to the front of the machine, and the video ends.

The post has since gained over 260,000 views. AsiaOne has reached out to Umai Durai for more information.

'Good business?'

Some netizens speculated that the large haul of drink containers originated from coffee shop diners, while others said that they had been collected from the public.

Others were amazed by the number of cans, quipping that it is "good business".

"Can buy lunch for a few days," an Instagram user joked.

Another also remarked that it feels more "shiok" to recycle large quantities at once.

On July 27, an anonymous user had taken to Facebook page Complaint Singapore with a picture of a man, who appears to be a migrant worker, with two bags of items at a Return Right machine.

While the user said in the caption that they "also want to get rich", commenters who saw no issue with the photograph hit back at the sarcastic remark.

"These are the things that many locals won't do but when these foreign talents do the locals start complaining," a Facebook user wrote.

"They don't steal. They pick up what people throw away and sell it. What's the problem?" one asked.

"Just do (recycle)," said one. "Not only (does) it help you, but our environment. I don't see any problem with this at all."

@asiaone How many bottles and cans have 🫵 recycled under the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS)? For some residents, the pile was so huge it looked like paying for a meal — proof that every return adds up. #sgnews #Singapore #Recycling #BCR ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

5.5 million beverage containers recycled since April

Around 5.5 million plastic and metal beverage products have been successfully recycled under the BCRS since its launch on April 1, revealed Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary on Aug 5.

The number is expected to increase as the scheme enters the last leg of the six-month transition period, meaning more plastic and metal containers bearing the deposit mark are entering the retail market.

After the transition period ends on Sept 30, all plastic and metal beverage containers with capacities from 500ml to three litres must be labelled with the BCRS mark.

According to the BCRS operator, the average weekly transaction is currently 5.9 containers per transaction.

About 2,000 Return Right machines are expected to be installed islandwide by April 2027.

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lim.kewei@asiaone.com