Singapore’s Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) has been running since 1 April 2026, but many restaurant operators still haven’t registered for the Return Right F&B Scheme — and with it, a $500 one-time incentive from NEA that expires on 30 September 2026.
That’s one month away.
What is the Return Right F&B Scheme (RRFS)?
Under BCRS, pre-packaged beverages in plastic or metal containers (150ml to 3L) now carry a $0.10 refundable deposit. The deposit follows the container — when a customer buys a canned drink or bottled water, they pay an extra $0.10, which they can redeem by returning the empty container to a reverse vending machine.
The RRFS registration for Singapore restaurants is a specific opt-in for dine-in F&B operators. By joining, your restaurant takes responsibility for collecting the containers after the meal — so customers don’t pay the deposit at all during dine-in. You absorb it, collect the empties, and handle the recycling. From the diner’s side, nothing changes. Takeaway orders where the container leaves your premises still carry the $0.10 deposit as normal.
The $500 incentive: what it covers and how to get it
NEA is offering a one-time $500 support payment per food shop for F&B operators who register under RRFS before 30 September 2026. It’s designed to offset the setup involved — briefing your team, adjusting your container collection workflow, and any operational changes needed. Register at bcrs.sg. If you have more than one outlet, the $500 applies per food shop — a chain with five locations can claim up to $2,500.
Why most dine-in restaurants should register
The main benefit is straightforward: your dine-in customers don’t see a new charge on their bill. No $0.10 deposit, no explanation needed, no questions from guests about what it is or how to claim it back.
The tradeoff is that you handle the container collection — but for a table-service restaurant, your staff are already clearing tables. Adding containers to the recycling stream is a small operational adjustment, not a major one.
For restaurants that serve all beverages in glasses or cups rather than original sealed containers, BCRS doesn’t affect your dine-in drinks at all — but if you sell any pre-packaged drinks for takeaway, the deposit applies to those regardless of RRFS status.
Is RRFS registration right for every Singapore restaurant?
Not every format. NEA designed RRFS for dine-in restaurants and food shops where the operator can control container collection. Hawker centres and coffeeshops with open dining areas shared across multiple stalls are acknowledged as less suitable — containers move too freely between stalls and customers for a clean collection system. If you run a sit-down restaurant or café with a defined dine-in space, RRFS is almost certainly the right fit.
What to do before 30 September
Go to bcrs.sg, register your outlet under the Return Right F&B Scheme, and apply for the $500 incentive. NEA will also provide “Return Right F&B” decals for your outlet so customers know you’re a participating restaurant. Brief your team on the one key rule: dine-in customers don’t pay the deposit; takeaway customers do.
If you have questions about how BCRS affects your POS setup or want to make sure your system handles dine-in and takeaway deposits correctly, we’re happy to help. Talk to us about your setup →
