NEA rebuts accusations of misappropriation, corruption over Beverage Container Return Scheme refunds

Consumers have used the machines more than one million times to return a total of 5.5 million containers, meaning each transaction involved an average of about 5.5 containers, the agency said.

With each container carrying a S$0.10 deposit, around S$550,000 (US$430,000) has been refunded.

“It is incorrect to interpret (Dr Puthucheary’s) statement as 5.5 million containers were returned but only the deposits of 1 million containers were refunded,” said NEA in a Facebook post.

“Any accusations of misappropriation or corruption are therefore misplaced.”

Under the scheme, consumers can return eligible drink containers at reverse vending machines to get a S$0.10 refund. 

These are pre-packaged beverage containers made of plastic or metal, with volumes between 150ml and 3,000ml that also carry a BCRS deposit mark.

Drink containers without the deposit mark will remain available in the market during the transition period until Sep 30, as producers have been given time to clear existing stock. 

From Oct 1, all regulated beverage containers sold in Singapore must carry the deposit mark.