The return scheme only takes empty drink cans and plastic bottles with the Deposit Mark. Everything else needs another way out — and that’s where we come in.
Since 1 April 2026, Singapore’s Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) has added a 10¢ deposit to bottled and canned drinks. You get the 10¢ back when you return the empty container at a Return Right machine. From 1 October 2026, all regulated drinks sold here must carry the Deposit Mark.
Sounds simple. But many people only find out at the machine that their bottle or can gets rejected. Here’s a quick guide to what goes in, what doesn’t, and what to do with the rest.
A “no” at any step means no refund at the machine. Bulky items skip the scheme entirely and go straight to Easy Disposal.
What’s accepted
A container is accepted if it ticks all of these boxes:
- Has the Deposit Mark on the label
- Made of plastic or metal — PET, PP or HDPE bottles, aluminium or steel cans
- Between 150ml and 3 litres
- A pre-packaged drink — water, soft drinks, juice, milk and dairy drinks, cordials, beer and other alcohol
- Empty — a quick rinse helps
- Not crushed or flattened, with the barcode still readable
Insert one container at a time at any Return Right machine. Your 10¢ refund goes to DBS PayLah! or a physical SimplyGo EZ-Link card. PayNow QR, the SimplyGo app and NETS FlashPay don’t work.
You’ll find the machines at bigger supermarkets, town centres, HDB void decks and some hawker centres. Use the Return Right map to find the nearest one.
What’s not accepted
The machine will reject these, and you won’t get a refund:
| Item | Why it’s rejected | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Bottles or cans without the Deposit Mark | Not part of the scheme | Blue recycling bin |
| Glass bottles | Glass is excluded | Blue recycling bin |
| Paper cartons and drink pouches | Excluded packaging | Blue bin or general waste |
| Crushed, flattened or dented containers | Machine can’t scan them | Blue recycling bin |
| Damaged or unreadable barcode | Machine can’t verify them | Blue recycling bin |
| Under 150ml or over 3 litres | Outside the size range | Blue recycling bin |
| Bubble tea, freshly brewed coffee, fresh juice | Freshly prepared drinks are excluded | General waste |
| Powdered drink tubs, medical nutrition drinks | Excluded product types | Blue bin or general waste |
And of course, the machines only take drink containers. Old furniture, appliances, mattresses and bulky items are a different story.
Got something the scheme won’t take? Call Easy Disposal
A few cans fit in a bag. But a spring-clean, a move or an office clear-out usually turns up much more than drink bottles. That’s the stuff we handle:
- Crates of glass bottles and leftover party supplies
- Old furniture — sofas, beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs
- Appliances — fridges, washing machines, TVs, microwaves
- Mattresses, carpets and other bulky items
- Office and shop clutter — cabinets, racks, broken equipment
How to reach us:
- WhatsApp us photos of what needs to go at +65 8835 9790
- Get a clear quote based on your items and access
- Pick a time that suits you
- We carry it out and take it away — you don’t lift a thing
You can also call us at +65 8835 9790 or book our services by filling out the form:
Submit an Online quote
FAQs
How much is the deposit? 10¢ per container, with no GST on top.
Why was my can rejected even though it has the Deposit Mark? It may be crushed, dented or have a damaged barcode. The machine needs to scan it, so keep containers in shape.
Can I return a bottle I bought at a different shop? Yes. Any Return Right machine accepts eligible containers, no matter where you bought the drink.
The machine is full or not working. What now? Call the Return Right helpline at +65 6035 5882 (daily, 9am–6pm) and try the next nearest machine.
Does Easy Disposal collect bottles and cans for the 10¢ refund? No, the refund only comes from Return Right machines. We help with the bigger items and bulk clutter the scheme doesn’t cover.