Beverage Container Return Scheme drinks scarce on launch day as retailers clear old stock

Drinks carrying the deposit mark for the Beverage Container Return Scheme were hard to find on launch day. Retailers say more batches could appear in the coming days once existing non-compliant stock is cleared. Under the scheme, consumers will have to pay an additional refundable 10 cents. Reverse vending machines under the scheme collected their first containers in areas like Bukit Merah and Novena. While machines are accessible, many consumers remain unclear about usage, especially as eligible containers with proper deposit markings are not yet widespread. Claudia Lim and Rachel Teng report.