For the cost of scheme stickers, producers can email BCRS Ltd to seek reimbursement. The consortium will process the claims and make the first payment by March.

Companies which do not wish to receive the grant can opt out by writing to transition_grant [at] bcrs.sg, said NEA. 

COSTS FOR PRODUCERS 

Under the scheme, producers must ensure that their beverage containers have a deposit mark to help consumers identify their eligibility for the 10-cent deposit refund. 

Producers are also encouraged to have a Singapore-specific barcode on their containers to avoid a situation of overclaiming deposits. 

“When international barcodes are used, the same barcode may appear on containers sold outside Singapore, where the 10-cent deposit has not been paid into the scheme,” NEA explained.

“This creates a risk that such containers could be returned to reverse vending machines in Singapore, triggering a deposit refund even though no deposit was paid.

“International experience has shown that shared barcodes can lead to overclaiming of the deposits.”

Importers who are not able to influence their packaging design to include the deposit mark and Singapore-specific barcode will need to affix a sticker that comprises both the deposit mark and a new barcode.

As an alternative to a Singapore-specific barcode, producers may also choose to use a new international barcode and only affix the deposit mark.

In such cases, BCRS Ltd will impose a security fee as a safeguard. According to the scheme’s website, the fee will be calculated based on several factors and risk assessments made by the consortium to mitigate fraud and to protect the scheme’s integrity.

If the containers bearing international barcodes returned are more than the number that can be refunded based on the 10-cent deposits paid by the producer, the security fee will be drawn down, NEA said on Tuesday.

“The security fee is fully refundable and can also be provided in the form of a banker’s guarantee,” it added.

“It is calibrated based on the volume of containers, serving as a safeguard rather than a penalty, while allowing producers the flexibility to use international barcodes if necessary.”