Tomra appointed network operator in Singapore’s DRS

The operator for Singapore’s upcoming Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) has appointed global reverse vending leader, Tomra as the Return Point Network Operator for the Central and North-Eastern regions. In preparation for the 1 April launch of this deposit return scheme, Tomra will officially open a new office and warehouse in Kallang on 30 January. Singapore is pioneering in this space, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to have a comprehensive, legislation-based deposit return scheme for single-use beverage containers.

Singapore’s BCRS will see a fully refundable deposit of 10-cent applied to all pre-packaged beverages sold in plastic and metal containers ranging from 150ml to 3L in size. Consumers simply return deposit-eligible containers to the nearest designated return point and reverse vending machine, in order to receive the refund of their 10-cent deposit via the designated payment platforms. 

In its role as the Return Point Network Operator for the Central and North-Eastern regions of Singapore, Tomra will install at least 350 reverse vending machines at mandated supermarkets with a floor area larger than 200m², as well as in publicly-accessible spaces like town centres and residential buildings. Reverse vending machines automate the return of beverage containers, making returns more efficient and convenient than through manual handling.

As well as the deployment of state-of-the-art reverse vending infrastructure, Tomra’s role will cover site acquisition and management, site cleaning and maintenance, and transportation of collected containers to the processing plant, which will be supported by local service provider Chye Thiam Maintenance.

“Tomra is committed to rolling out a reliable and convenient network of beverage container return infrastructure that’s ready to deliver on the ambitions of the upcoming Beverage Container Return Scheme, contributing to creating a clean and high-quality stream of recycled materials that can truly drive a circular economy. Tomea is very excited to be a partner in making this return scheme a success,” said CK Chai, Tomra Collection managing director for Singapore.

Tomra first opened a technology showroom in Singapore in March 2022, with the “Resource Transformation Center” seeking to shape future resource recovery systems and educate visitors on the circular economy. As Tomra’s team grows to support the scheme, Tomra’s space has re-located to Kallang and added an office and warehouse/service centre to support its inventory and operations.

The guests of honour at the event to open Tomra’s new office in Singapore are Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Education, Dr Janil Puthucheary, and the Norwegian Ambassador to Singapore, Leif Trana. The office opening will be hosted by Tor Eirik Knutsen, head of Asia, Pacific, Middle East and Africa at TOMRA Collection. The event will also be attended by key stakeholders and partners from the National Environment Agency, Innovation Norway, Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd, Fair Price, Sheng Siong, Cold Storage and Chye Thiam Maintenance.