Too early to say if BCRS exemption for F1 Grand Prix will extend to other large events: Janil Puthucheary

SINGAPORE: It is still too early to consider applying the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) to large events like the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, said Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary said in parliament on Wednesday (Nov 4). 

"As the scheme has just been fully implemented on Oct 1, it is still too early to gauge the overall effectiveness of operator-led collection and return arrangements" under the Return Right F&B Scheme (RRFS), said Dr Puthucheary.

The National Environment Agency will consider applying the scheme to other large-scale events "if they are able to comply with the conditions", he added.

He was responding to parliamentary questions on exemptions from the BCRS deposit, whether similar arrangements could be extended to other locations or events, and the effectiveness of operator-led collection and return arrangements.

For the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, which took place Oct 9-11, the event organiser and permitted food and beverage operators were treated in the same way as RRFS outlets, with an exemption from collecting the 10-cent deposit from consumers.

They were still required to pay the deposit to their beverage suppliers, while the event organiser put in place a system for patrons to return their beverage containers for recycling.

Close to 3,000 F&B outlets are participating in the RRFS.

The scheme is open to F&B operators that hold a valid licence from the Singapore Food Agency, have dine-in arrangements and sell beverages regulated under the BCRS.

Under the RRFS, participating outlets bear the cost of the deposits on BCRS-regulated beverages sold and consumed at their premises, and retain the empty beverage containers without charging customers the deposit.

Participating outlets include food courts and restaurants in airport transit areas, while coffeeshops and hawker stalls currently form a small minority.