Over 2,000 requests for extension to clear non-BCRS stock

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

The National Environment Agency has received over 2,000 extension requests from small retailers and non-profits seeking more time to sell beverage containers without the required deposit label under the new Beverage Container Return Scheme. These extensions, mostly approved for smaller businesses, aim to ease the transition to the mandatory deposit system that began on October 1, helping reduce waste while ensuring compliance by an October 31 deadline.

More than 2,000 requests have been made by small retailers and non-profit organisations seeking a one-month extension to clear stocks of beverage containers that do not comply with the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced on September 29.

The majority of extension applications came from smaller businesses, including provision shops, neighbourhood convenience stores, and standalone food outlets. As of the date, NEA has processed over 1,600 applications, approving roughly 85 percent. The agency said it considers several factors in its assessments, such as the nature and scale of the business, the quantity of non-BCRS-labelled stock held, the feasibility of clearing this stock by the original deadline of September 30, and the efforts retailers have made or plan to make to deplete these items.

NEA is currently expediting the review of applications submitted more recently. Small retailers were invited on September 18 to apply for an extension until October 31 to sell remaining non-compliant drinks.

Under the BCRS, which formally took effect on October 1, all plastic bottles and cans between 150 milliliters and 3 liters must bear a 10-cent deposit label to be sold legally. Customers pay this deposit at purchase and receive a refund when returning empty containers to designated reverse vending machines, also known as Return Right machines.

The scheme aims to enhance recycling rates and reduce litter, in line with Singapore’s Resource Sustainability Act. Violations of the deposit labelling requirements can result in fines up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.

Since its launch on April 1, the BCRS has seen the activation of more than 1,000 reverse vending machines nationwide. The initial transition period to comply with new packaging standards was extended from three to six months, ending September 30, to allow producers and retailers more time to handle existing inventory.

NEA has reminded smaller retailers granted the extension to avoid receiving any additional non-BCRS-labelled stock and to clearly inform customers when selling such items, which are exempt from the 10-cent deposit during the grace period. For retailers whose requests were denied, all non-compliant stock must be removed by September 30.

Retailers who have yet to apply for the extension but are still managing non-BCRS-labelled beverages are strongly encouraged to register with NEA by September 30 at a designated online portal. Each application will be individually assessed and the results communicated to applicants.

Non-profit organisations are also permitted to distribute donated, unlabelled beverage containers to beneficiaries until October 31, provided they register by the September 30 deadline. NEA has released a list of approved organisations authorised to operate under this extension, which includes groups such as Hope Initiative Alliance, The Food Bank Singapore, Singapore Red Cross Society, and St Gabriel’s Foundation, among others.

These measures are intended to facilitate a smoother transition to the mandatory deposit system while ensuring compliance with sustainability objectives.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.