Update on "Reverse" Vending Machines Launched under Recycle N Save Programme
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the usage and expansion of "reverse" vending machines (RVMs) under the Recycle N Save programme, as queried by MP Sitoh Yih Pin. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli B M M noted a positive public response with over 1.6 million drink containers collected as of January 2020. He affirmed that NEA and F&N Foods aim to deploy the remaining 39 RVMs by March 2020 to reach more residents across Singapore. Findings from the pilot will be used to assess the national packaging waste management roadmap and support the implementation of an Extended Producer Responsibility framework. This framework is slated for establishment no later than 2025 to encourage the public to recycle more and recycle right.
Transcript
31 Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what has been the popularity and usage of the 10 "reverse" vending machines launched under the Recycle N Save Programme on 31 October 2019; and (b) whether NEA has further plans to expand the Programme beyond the planned 50 machines across Singapore by March 2020.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) pilot, introduced under the "Recycle N Save" initiative by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and F&N Foods, seeks to encourage Singaporeans to care for the environment and practise sustainability in their lives, by incentivising them to recycle their used plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans. The pilot has received positive response from the public since its launch on 31 October 2019. As of 12 January 2020, over 1.6 million drink containers in total have been deposited.
Eleven RVMs have been rolled out and NEA and F&N Foods will work towards deploying the remaining 39 RVMs by end March 2020. The remaining RVMs will be deployed in a variety of locations to reach out to more users and residents in different parts of Singapore.
My Ministry and the NEA will continue to work with stakeholders to monitor and review the results of the pilot. We will use the findings to assess how the "Recycle N Save" initiative supports our packaging including plastic waste management roadmap, including how we can accelerate plans to establish an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework no later than 2025.
We will continue to work with our partners and stakeholders to encourage the public to recycle more, and to recycle right.