Debated in Parliament on 8 Sep 2026.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether there are plans under the Beverage Container Recycling Scheme to locate a Reverse Vending Machine in the vicinity of every coffeeshop or supermarket to simplify the return of containers at these high-usage locations.
The response to this question also addresses a related Parliamentary Question on the location of reverse vending machines (RVMs) filed by Ms Valerie Lee for the Sitting on 10 September 2026. [Please refer to "Data on Schools with Return Right Beverage Container Return Machines Installed and Plans for Expanding into Schools Without Return Machines", Official Report, 10 September 2026, Vol 96, Issue 37, Written Answers to Questions section.]
Under the Return Right Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), RVMs have been deployed in publicly accessible locations with high footfall, such as large supermarkets and hawker centres, as well as in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates. This allows over 90% of HDB residents to be within a five-minute walk of a machine.
The objective is to make access to RVMs convenient across the community while managing costs and logistical needs. Although there are currently no plans to place RVMs at every location where beverages are consumed, including coffeeshops and school canteens, we will continue to monitor the volume and pattern of return activities.
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