Food and beverage (F&B) operators play an important role in the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), as they are one of the channels and touchpoints where consumers purchase beverages. The F&B landscape in Singapore is diverse. We have identified two main typologies, which will be clearly differentiated with labels to help consumers identify such premises.
F&B operators participating in the Return Right F&B Scheme (RRFS)
NEA is introducing the “Return Right F&B Scheme (RRFS)” for F&B outlets with dine-in service. Participating RRFS F&B outlets collect back BCRS-regulated beverage containers consumed during dine-in without charging customers the 10-cent deposit. They can implement this by:
- Serving the beverages in cups or glasses without containers; or
- Serving the beverages with the containers, with the understanding that customers leave them behind at the dine-in premises after consumption.
While the RRFS arrangement closely resembles the current dining experience for customers, it requires additional effort and operational adjustments by F&B operators. To support these efforts, NEA will provide a one-time incentive of $500 per food shop on application.
Eligibility Criteria for the RRFS
F&B operators can sign-up any time if they meet the following criteria: - Hold a valid food shop licence from the Singapore Food Agency;
- Have dine-in arrangements; and
- Sell BCRS-regulated beverages i.e. pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers between 150mL to 3L (inclusive).
Sign-up Procedure for the RRFS
Please fill up this form to sign up for the RRFS and request RRFS collaterals.
RRFS collaterals will be provided to RRFS F&B outlets. The collateral pack comprises posters to inform consumers about the RRFS and decals for consumers to easily identify RRFS F&B outlets. There is no deadline to onboard the RRFS. Sign-ups will be processed on a rolling basis.
For queries on the RRFS, please visit go.gov.sg/nea-feedback. |
Application for RRFS incentive
F&B operators that have signed up for the RRFS can proceed to apply for the one-time $500 incentive per RRFS outlet on the Business Grants Portal (BGP) at this link by 30 September 2026.
Returning your containers as an RRFS
Eligible empty containers may be returned at the nearest Return Right Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) or through alternative arrangements, such as with the mall operator for the F&B outlets.
F&B operators not participating in RRFS
Some food shops may not meet the eligibility criteria to sign up for the RRFS or may not be participating in the RRFS. Such non-RRFS F&B outlets could include stalls in hawker centres and most coffeeshops, where takeback arrangements could be challenging due to the porous nature of dining areas and the presence of multiple drink stalls within the same area, in the case of hawker centres.
Non-RRFS F&B outlets will sell regulated beverage products with the 10-cent deposit. Consumers can return their empty containers at Return Right RVMs to obtain their deposit.
NEA has also developed consumer collaterals for non-RRFS F&B outlets to help explain about the BCRS and to inform customers how they can obtain their deposit. The sign-up form for RRFS also includes a section for non-RRFS F&B outlets to request for these consumer collaterals and can be accessed here. Respondents will also need to answer the Eligibility questions in the form to request for consumer collaterals.