with the nationwide launch of smart reverse vending machines

Singapore, 31 October 2019 – In everyday life, simple green habits can be easily developed over time which will help protect the environment and the world we live in. In the spirit of cultivating healthy green habits, F&N Foods and the National Environment Agency (NEA), supported by FairPrice, have embarked on an initiative to place a total of 50 smart Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) across Singapore by March 2020. This aims to encourage Singaporeans to adopt an eco-conscious lifestyle by offering them a convenient and rewarding way to recycle empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans.

2          F&N and NEA announced the launch of the recycling programme this afternoon with the installation of one of the first of the series of RVMs at Our Tampines Hub. The RVM was unveiled by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Ten Recycle N Save Smart RVMs have been placed across various locations in Singapore and the subsequent placement of 40 others will be completed nationwide by March 2020.

3          Mr Lee Meng Tat, CEO Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Fraser and Neave Limited said, “Recycling is an important step we can all take to contribute towards saving the environment. We are delighted to embark on this programme with NEA, FairPrice, our long-time business partner, the community and consumers. I would also like to thank Our Tampines Hub for being a part of our nationwide launch of this programme.”

4          He added, “With the launch of this initiative, F&N reinforces our commitment to play our part in protecting the environment by ensuring that our packaging is environmentally friendly and to encourage and reward consumers to recycle the cans and bottles. The placement of these 50 RVMs enables consumers to also do their part for recycling.”

5          Mr Tan Meng Dui, CEO of NEA, said, “We are happy to work with F&N Foods and FairPrice on this initiative, to make it more convenient for the public to recycle their plastic drink bottles and cans, and encourage everyone to adopt a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle. This RVM initiative is also part of NEA’s effort to test out different public collection systems, as we work towards implementing an extended producer responsibility scheme for packaging waste over the next few years.  NEA will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to encourage the public to recycle more, and to recycle right. Together, we can build a more sustainable Singapore.”

6          RVMs are automated machines which utilise advanced technology to identify, sort and collect empty aluminium drink cans and plastic drink bottles. To encourage consumers and shoppers to recycle, F&N will reward them with a $0.20 FairPrice discount coupon for every four empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans deposited into the RVM.

7          Mr Seah Kian Peng, GCEO, NTUC FairPrice Group said, “FairPrice takes on a proactive approach towards sustainability. We are pleased to work with like-minded partners and support this nationwide initiative to promote greater awareness and community participation in recycling. We are heartened by the positive response from the public towards such campaigns, and we hope that more customers will adopt sustainable practices and care for the environment.”

8          In addition to the launch event, the first in a series of educational roadshows is being held at Our Tampines Hub today and tomorrow for the public to use the RVMs. Updates on upcoming events and new locations of the RVMs can be found on the initiative’s microsite, RecycleNSave.sg.

9          F&N is one of the region’s most established and successful home-grown companies in the food and beverage sector. Along with F&N’s efforts in meeting its consumers’ nutritional and wellness needs with its extensive offerings of products, F&N has also been making concerted effort in protecting the environment by ensuring that its drinks packaging such as cans and bottles are recyclable.

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For more information on the  initiative, locations of the reverse vending machines (RVMs) and updates on upcoming events, please visit RecycleNSave.sg.

For more information, please contact us at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.