Too early to say if BCRS exemption for F1 Grand Prix will extend to other large events: Grace Fu

For the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, which took place from Oct 9 to 11, the event organiser and permitted food and beverage operators were treated in the same way as outlets under the Return Right scheme. They did not have to collect the deposit from consumers.

They still had to pay the deposit to their beverage suppliers, while the event organiser set up a system for patrons to return their drink containers for recycling.

Close to 3,000 F&B outlets are participating in the Return Right initiative. The scheme is open to F&B operators that hold a valid licence from the Singapore Food Agency, have dine-in arrangements and sell beverages regulated under the BCRS.

Participating outlets bear the cost of deposits on regulated beverages sold and consumed on their premises, and retain the empty beverage containers without charging customers the deposit.

Such outlets include food courts and restaurants in airport transit areas, while coffee shops and hawker stalls make up a small minority.