Space constraints, pest fears: F&B outlets raise concerns ahead of beverage container return scheme

“BCRS Ltd will continue engaging with these food shops to gather feedback and enhance their return experience as the scheme progresses.

“The collection service by BCRS Ltd is intended for large volume, so that the collection can be cost-effective. This could include large generators, such as hotels or chain restaurants or malls, or in situations where food shops come together to aggregate their returns.”

They added that BCRS Ltd is gathering interest from operators of premises with food shops and restaurants for the collection service to optimise collection routes. They can register their interest at info [at] bcrs.sg (info[at]bcrs[dot]sg). 

To participate in the collection service, premises operators will need to place empty and uncrushed BCRS-labelled beverage containers in sealable bags issued by the consortium.

These bags will be collected and sorted at BCRS Ltd’s facility. Operators will need to register with BCRS Ltd for a corporate account to receive refunds on the deposits of containers returned.

Further operational details on the collection service, such as the collection schedule, will be provided later by BCRS Ltd to operators that have registered their interest, they said.

F&B operators that are keen to learn more about the Return Right F&B scheme can visit NEA’s website.

HIGHER VOLUME, MORE CONCERNS

The owner of a Clarke Quay bar, who declined to be named, said his outlet goes through hundreds of cans on weekends – including energy drinks mixed with alcohol – with servers typically pouring drinks into glasses and disposing of cans immediately.

Under the new scheme, that workflow would need to change significantly. Costs will also rise, since he would have to pay for transport for employees to return containers to designated points.

Storage is another concern. “You can’t crush the cans because you need to make sure the QR code is visible, so storage is going to be a huge issue,” he said.