New refund portal, improved machines: Beverage container return scheme kicks off fully on Oct 1新的退款门户网站和改进的机器：饮料容器回收计划将于10月1日全面启动
Singapore's beverage container return scheme (BCRS) went into full swing on Thursday (Oct 1), following a six-month transition period that began on April 1.The transitional period has, in turn, provided valuable opportunities for BCRS to gather feedback from users and observe how the scheme operates in practice, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and BCRS Limited stated in a factsheet on...
Singapore's beverage container return scheme (BCRS) went into full swing on Thursday (Oct 1), following a six-month transition period that began on April 1.
The transitional period has, in turn, provided valuable opportunities for BCRS to gather feedback from users and observe how the scheme operates in practice, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and BCRS Limited stated in a factsheet on Thursday.
BCRS said they have thus simplified the refund process and improved the performance of Return Right machines based on the feedback.
"This feedback and experience have informed practical improvements to make returning containers and receiving refunds simpler and more convenient as the scheme enters full implementation."
Digital refund portal
For example, a digital refund portal will be introduced from Thursday (Oct 1), starting with machines operated by SG Recycle in the north and western regions of Singapore before expanding to other machines across the country.
This portal is set to hasten and simplify the refund process as users won't need to go through the process of emailing hi@returnright.sg for refunds.
Should users face transaction issues, they can scan a QR code printed on their service ticket or visit returnright.sg/refund to upload a photo of their service ticket.
While transaction details will be auto-filled where possible, users will still need to provide their full name, bank name and bank account number.
Refunds may take up to 10 working days where it may have taken up to 30 working days previously, subject to bank processing times.
Improving operational performance
Among the feedback shared on social media, some users have complained of bad smells or unhygienic conditions of BCRS machines.
To combat this, NEA shared that users should help keep machines operating smoothly by emptying and rinsing containers before returning them.
"Residual liquids may affect machine performance and cleanliness," the agency explained.
Additionally, users are also encouraged to maintain cleanliness around machines and are advised against leaving unreturned containers or litter in the area.
BCRS said they will continue to improve the return experience, reduce machine errors as well as recalibrate container recognition and acceptance parameters.
All Return Right machines are also cleaned and serviced at least once daily.
As their data reflects high demand for machines from weekend evenings through Monday — users are therefore encouraged to make returns on weekdays after checking ReturnRight.sg for live bin status.
Consumers have responded positively, NEA says
Over 48 million beverage containers have been collected as of Sunday (Sept 27), with the average number of containers per transaction increasing from 2.8 in April to 8.2 in September.
Around 55 per cent of materials collected are plastics while the remaining 45 per cent are metal, NEA shared.
At present, over 1,300 Return Right machines have been deployed, with 90 per cent of HDB residents within a five-minute walk from a machine.
More machines are expected to be deployed with up to 2,000 within the first year of implementation.
"Consumers have responded positively, with return volumes growing steadily over the transition period," NEA said.
editor@asiaone.com khooyihang@asiaone.com
新加坡饮料容器回收计划（BCRS）于周四（10月1日）全面启动，此前该计划经历了从4月1日开始的为期六个月的过渡期。
国家环境局 (NEA) 和 BCRS 有限公司周四在一份情况说明书中表示，过渡期反过来也为 BCRS 提供了宝贵的机会，使其能够收集用户的反馈并观察该计划在实践中的运作情况。
BCRS表示，他们根据反馈简化了退款流程，并提高了退货机的性能。
“这些反馈和经验为改进实际操作提供了依据，使退还容器和获得退款的过程更加简单便捷，尤其是在该计划全面实施之际。”
数字退款门户
例如，从周四（10 月 1 日）起，将推出数字退款门户网站，首先在新加坡北部和西部地区由 SG Recycle 运营的机器上启用，然后再扩展到全国其他地区的机器。
该门户网站旨在加快和简化退款流程，用户无需再通过发送电子邮件至 hi@returnright.sg 申请退款。
如果用户遇到交易问题，他们可以扫描服务单上打印的二维码，或者访问 returnright.sg/refund 上传服务单的照片。
虽然交易详情会在可能的情况下自动填写，但用户仍然需要提供他们的全名、银行名称和银行账号。
退款可能需要 10 个工作日，而以前可能需要 30 个工作日，具体取决于银行的处理时间。
提高运营绩效
在社交媒体上分享的反馈中，一些用户抱怨 BCRS 机器有异味或卫生条件差。
为了解决这个问题，新加坡国家环境局表示，用户应该在归还容器前清空并冲洗容器，以帮助保持机器顺畅运行。
该机构解释说：“残留液体可能会影响机器的性能和清洁度。”
此外，还鼓励用户保持机器周围的清洁，并建议不要将未归还的容器或垃圾留在该区域。
BCRS表示，他们将继续改善退货体验，减少机器错误，并重新校准容器识别和接收参数。
所有 Return Right 机器每天至少清洁和维护一次。
由于数据显示从周末晚上到周一，机器需求量很大——因此鼓励用户在工作日查看 ReturnRight.sg 的实时垃圾箱状态后进行退货。
国家环境局表示，消费者反响积极。
截至周日（9 月 27 日），已收集超过 4800 万个饮料容器，每次交易的平均容器数量从 4 月份的 2.8 个增加到 9 月份的 8.2 个。
国家环境局表示，收集到的材料中约 55% 为塑料，其余 45% 为金属。
目前已部署超过 1300 台 Return Right 机器，90% 的组屋居民步行五分钟即可到达一台机器。
预计在实施的第一年内，将部署更多机器，最多可达 2000 台。
新加坡国家环境局表示：“消费者对此反应积极，过渡期内退货量稳步增长。”
editor@asiaone.com khooyihang@asiaone.com