Singapore (VNA) – Singapore’s residents can tap their ez-link cards at vending machines to retrieve their 10-cent deposits (0.078 USD) when returning empty drink bottles and cans for recycling from April 1.
This move is expected to encourage people to adjust their habits, thereby joining hands to protect the environment for future generations.
The ez-link cards, which include student and senior concession cards, will be a main refund method under the upcoming Beverage Container Return Scheme, according to Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary.
About 1,000 return points, comprising mainly machines, will be set up across the country by April 1 when the scheme starts. Within a year, the number will double to 2,000 to increase accessibility, he added.
For those who do not use ez-link cards to pay for transport, other digital payment methods will be announced soon.
Under the programme, customers will pay an additional 10 cents in refundable deposit for bottled and canned drinks ranging from 150ml to 3l. Most of the return points will be “reverse” vending machines, which will take in empty containers and dispense money in return./.
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