A 53-year-old Singapore man has collected more than S$1,000 in refunds from discarded drink cans and bottles after spending almost two months gathering containers under the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS).
8world interviewed the man at Amoy Street Food Centre on 11 August 2026. He works nearby and spends his time after work cycling around areas such as Geylang and Tanjong Pagar to collect empty containers left behind by others.
He said he usually collects enough containers to earn about S$10 to S$20 a day, with the refunds credited to his EZ-Link card.
On the day of the interview, he had collected about 100 bottles and cans.
Collecting Containers After Work And On Weekends
The man said he often looks around areas where people gather at night, as some drink containers are left beside rubbish bins.
Besides collecting after work, he sometimes makes multiple trips on weekends. He can collect three times in a day when he has more time.
Another uncle interviewed by 8world said he averages around S$2 to S$3 a day from returning discarded containers.
8world also spoke to a young man at Golden Mile Food Centre who helps an auntie return around 60 cans at one time because she is unfamiliar with using the return machine.
Some businesses have also returned large numbers of containers. One restaurant told 8world that it once returned more than 200 containers.
BCRS Gives 10-Cent Refund For Each Eligible Container
Singapore’s Beverage Container Return Scheme began on 1 April 2026.
Under the scheme, consumers pay a 10-cent deposit when buying drinks in regulated containers. They can get the deposit back by returning eligible empty containers at designated return points.
During the transition period, containers without the required deposit mark cannot be refunded.
From 1 October 2026, all regulated drink containers sold in Singapore must carry the deposit mark.
The scheme is intended to encourage people to return used drink containers for recycling instead of throwing them away.
More People Returning Containers For Refunds
The 53-year-old man’s experience comes as some members of the public have started using the BCRS system to collect small refunds from containers that may otherwise be discarded.
While individual refunds are only 10 cents per container, collecting larger numbers of bottles and cans can add up over time.
The man’s collection of more than S$1,000 shows how regular collection efforts over several weeks can turn discarded containers into a source of additional income.
