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164 results · 2026
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Causes of Processing Failures in Vending Machines Under Beverage Container Return Scheme
Speakers: Janil Puthucheary, Lee Hong Chuang
Mr Lee Hong Chuang asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the frequency and main causes of processing failures in reverse vending machines after accepting containers under the Beverage Container Return Scheme; and (b) whether the Ministry will work with the operator to automate verification and refund processing, including through technologies such as computer vision, to reduce the current waiting time for refunds.
The Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment (Dr Janil Puthucheary) (for the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment): Sir, as of October, over 95% of the transactions at the Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) were refunded on the spot. For the unsuccessful transactions, a considerable proportion appears to be due to unfamiliarity with the refund process.
Since 1 October 2026, Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) Ltd has been progressively rolling out a digital refund portal to streamline the processing of unsuccessful refunds. Users only need to provide their personal details via a pre-populated online form on the new portal instead of sending an email to BCRS Ltd. Under this streamlined process, the public can expect refunds to be made within 10 working days, down from 30 working days previously.
Mr Speaker: Mr Lee.
Mr Lee Hong Chuang (Jurong East-Bukit Batok): Thank you. I have two supplementary questions. One, what measure will be put in place to ensure that consumers who have successfully returned their beverage containers but experience machine or system errors are not unfairly denied their refund? And will there be a mechanism for immediate manual verification and resolution?
Two, will the Ministry establish service level standard for RVM reliability, maintenance and refund processing times, and impose penalties or other corrective measure on the operator, if these standards are not met?
Dr Janil Puthucheary: Sir, I thank Mr Lee for his supplementary questions. BCRS Ltd will continue to improve their processes. The National Environment Agency, and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment will be watching that very closely and working with them to make sure the processes are indeed serving the customers.
Today, there is already a Quick Response code which leads the customer, the person who had a failed refund, to a pre-filled form. So, it simplifies the way in which they can ask for a manual refund. So, that process is already in place.
We do indeed have service standards that are imposed on BCRS Ltd, and there are reporting standards as well, addressing issues to do with availability and reliability. And we will work with them to improve the processes, including the refund processes. We will consider introducing further penalties if necessary.