Rejection Rate for Eligible Containers under Beverage Container Return Scheme
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the reverse vending machine rejection rate for eligible containers under the Beverage Container Return Scheme and the recourse available to consumers unable to obtain refunds, raised by Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the vast majority of eligible containers are accepted with on-the-spot refunds, with unsuccessful returns falling from 5% over the first five months to 2% in September. She noted that rejections primarily stem from user unfamiliarity, machine faults, or improper deposit behaviour like inserting crushed or wrongly placed containers. In response, BCRS Ltd has been improving the user interface and expanding public education efforts on proper machine usage. For recourse, affected members of the public can seek assistance through BCRS Ltd’s refund portal or by emailing them details of failed transactions.
Transcript
99 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment with regard to the Beverage Container Return Scheme and, to date (a) what is the reverse vending machine rejection rate for eligible containers; and (b) what recourse is available to consumers who are unable to obtain refunds for eligible containers.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The response to this question also addresses a related Parliamentary Question filed by Mr Abdul Muhaimin for the Sitting on or after 7 October 20261.
The vast majority of eligible containers are successfully accepted by the Return Right Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) with the refund made on the spot.
A small proportion of eligible containers are rejected due to improper deposit behaviour. For example, a crushed container would not be identified and accepted by the RVM. The container might also be rejected if the user does not place it properly on the conveyor belt. Occasionally, machine faults might cause eligible containers from being processed properly. Users who face difficulties returning eligible containers may reach out to BCRS Ltd for assistance.
The proportion of successful transactions has been increasing, with around 98% of transactions refunded on the spot in September. For the unsuccessful transactions, a considerable proportion appears to be due to unfamiliarity with the refund process.
BCRS Ltd has been improving the user interface for refunds by working on feedback obtained and stepping up public education efforts on the proper use of the machine. These have helped to bring down the proportion of unsuccessful returns over time, from 5% over the first five months to 2% in September.
Members of the public who have failed in getting their refunds at RVMs may use the refund portal rolled out by BCRS Ltd. Alternatively, they may email BCRS Ltd with details of the failed transaction for further assistance.