Digging through public bins for empty bottles and cans is against the law, says Minister Grace Fu.
The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment said so in a written reply to Parliament, as reported by Mothership on 6 October 2026.
PAP MP Hazlina Abdul Halim had asked about hygiene under the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), which refunds 10 cents for each eligible bottle or can.
What she said
"Rummaging through public refuse bins, removing items from them, and leaving or spilling waste on the ground are against the law," Fu said.
She added that the National Environment Agency (NEA) will take enforcement action.
Why it came up
On 3 October, a photo on the Facebook page Complaint Singapore appeared to show a father and child searching through bins for drink containers.
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The post sparked debate online about people hunting for 10-cent refunds.
Empty it first
Fu said the Return Right machines accept only empty containers, so pour out any leftover drink before you return it.
There are no plans to add spots to pour out liquid at the machines, she said, as most people already return their containers empty.
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How to get your 10 cents
BCRS started on 1 April 2026. Plastic and metal drink containers from 150ml to 3 litres carry a 10-cent deposit, which you get back when you return them.
Check the label for the BCRS Deposit Mark.
Empty the container, and do not crush it. The machine needs to scan the barcode.
Find a Return Right machine. All 1,070 were running by May, and the government plans about 2,000 within the first year.
Get your refund through SimplyGo EZ-Link or DBS PayLah!.
Collecting bottles from your home, office or barkada for the refund is fine. Taking them out of public bins is what NEA will act on.
