PUBLISHED ONAugust 06, 2026 7:55 AMUPDATEDAugust 07, 2026 1:37 AMBYWong Dao EnThe operator behind the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) has introduced updates to the scheme after netizens flooded it with complaints about the scheme's Return Right machines not operating properly.
It said on Thursday (Aug 6) that feedback from users have "guided practical improvements" to the scheme, with changes to the user interface and a longer refund timeout window to improve customer experience.
"Based on the observations from user's experience, BCRS Ltd has redesigned the interface layout on all Return Right machines to make the 'Tap for Refund' button highly visible," the operator said.
Additionally, the refund timeout window has also been extended from 30 seconds to one minute, and the volume of audio cues to indicate when a transaction and card tap have been successfully has been increased.
The operator also said it is using customer feedback to improve the experience, such as reducing "avoidable" machine errors, recalibrating parameters on container recognition and enhancing the refund process.
The scheme, which was launched on April 1, has handled over a million transactions with 5.5 million beverage containers returned.
Its transition period is until Sept 30.
"The average weekly transaction has risen from 2.8 containers in the first month to 5.9 containers per transaction at present," the operator said, adding that 55 per cent of the materials collected are plastics, while 45 per cent were metal.
About 1,070 machines have been deployed since April 1, with over 90 per cent of HDB residents within a five-minute walk of a reverse vending machine, in addition to machines in the larger supermarkets.
Another 300 machines are set to be deployed in areas outside the initial rollout zone, which include industrial estates, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), and other places of interest.
"We are on track to double the number of return points progressively within the first year of implementation," the statement said.
@asiaone The operator of the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) is introducing updates to its Return Right machines after users reported issues with refunds and container recognition. The changes include a more visible refund button, a longer refund window, and louder audio alerts. ♻️ #Singapore #sgnews #Recycling #BCRS ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
BCRS Ltd and the National Environment Agency (NEA) have also been engaging with manufacturers, major retailers, minimarts, food and beverage operators, coffee shops, and others to prepare them for the scheme, including its requirements and what to expect during the transition and after the full implementation.
The company has also introduced Seniors Return Right workshops to help seniors familiarise themselves with the machines, reaching over 430 seniors across 12 workshops in Active Ageing Centres islandwide.
Six heartland supermarket roadshows to provide live demonstrations on using the machines have also been conducted, with more than 400 scheduled from August onwards.
The roadshows will also see Return Right Buddies, who will assist shoppers and train frontline supermarket staff on machine operations and questions from members of the public.
Return Right Ambassadors are also being progressively deployed and stationed at high-traffic machines located at HDB void decks.
Residents can check the Return Right website for updated session schedules, it added.
"We are partnering with NEA to conduct educational sessions at selected primary and secondary schools. Concurrently, BCRS will launch campus activations across IHLs to encourage youth participation," the operator said.
"We encourage everyone to participate actively, by being mindful of the beverage containers you consume, and returning empty beverage containers at designated return points."
AsiaOne found multiple posts across Facebook and Xiaohongshu, along with Reddit comments, where netizens questioned the effectiveness of the machines.
Among the Facebook posts, some complained that the machines were unable to detect the barcodes on the containers, while others took issue with the machine's inability to provide the 10 cents that users can claim.
In a June 30 post, the user said that he deposited 20 bottles into the machine, but it counted only five.
As such, he was not provided with the additional $1.50 for the other 15 bottles which the machine had accepted, and Sheng Siong staff told him to just "call the hotline and give feedback".
Two other users also posted on June 21 and July 21 about the machine being unable to accept containers with the deposit mark, which was also shown in videos uploaded by users.
When AsiaOne tried the machine at a shopping mall in the west on Aug 2, it took multiple tries for each container to be accepted.
The machine accepted the containers only when the bar code was facing upwards.
In response to this issue, BCRS Ltd said that the barcode should not have to be facing upwards for a successful return.
Nonetheless, AsiaOne managed to get the correct refund.
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