Lao Ban Soya Beancurd draws flak over 10¢ BCRS deposit, clarifies its drinks fall under return scheme

Lao Ban Soya Beancurd has added the 10 cents BCRS refundable charge to their soya milk drink.

In a Facebook post made on Oct. 21, the popular soya milk chain announced that the drink cups would be eligible for return at BCRS machines.

Lao Ban said it has charged the deposit since Oct. 1, about three weeks before the post. That is the date NEA’s six-month transition period ended, after which all regulated beverage containers must carry the deposit.

In September, photos circulated on Facebook showing the BCRS refund sticker affixed to their soya milk drink cups.

Backlash

The post garnered significant backlash, with many users complaining about the additional hassle of bringing the cups to a machine to receive their refund, and potential effects on their business.

Some users also expressed indignation as they thought that such beverages were exempt from the scheme.

However, Lao Ban clarified that their containers do indeed fall under the BCRS scheme.

This is because their drink products are made in a central kitchen and distributed to retail outlets and supermarkets, and therefore fall under the category of pre-packaged drinks.

According to the National Environment Agency's (NEA) website, all pre-packaged beverages are included in the scheme.

Only freshly-prepared drinks – that is, drinks made and sold in the same premises, or prepared at a central F&B establishment for sale by the same food business operator – are exempt.