Man seen dangling from blue recycling bin opening, sparks debate about BCRS

A man was photographed partially inside a blue recycling bin in a public housing estate in Singapore.

The image of him apparently rummaging for recyclable items has sparked debate online.

Also photographed next to him was a red plastic bag hanging from a bicycle that apparently contained empty containers.

The post on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page alleged that the man was searching for containers to get deposit refunds from the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS).

Should he take the containers out?

Opinions were divided.

Some said the man was "going too far", even though they were "all for collecting cans".

Another called the man's actions "unbelievable" and questioned why he would do this for a 10-cent refund.

Others said the man was simply taking the items from one receptacle and transferring them to another receptable.

Moreover, recycling bins, unlike rubbish bins, should not contain random trash and food waste, which makes them "less dirty".

There were also others who wondered if he had dropped something inside and was searching for it.

The man's actions also drew flak based on comments from other Facebook posts.

What is BCRS?

BCRS kicked in fully from Oct. 1, 2026.

All plastic bottles and cans from 150ml to 3 litres cannot be sold, unless they have the 10-cent deposit mark.

Under the scheme, administered by the National Environment Agency (NEA), customers are charged 10 cents extra for each drink purchased.

They can get the 10 cents back when they deposit the used containers into a Return Right Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), which is a reverse vending machine.

Illegal

Rummaging through public refuse bins, removing items from them, or leaving or spilling waste on the ground are against the law, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu in response to a parliamentary question recently.

Fu was asked whether measures were in place to prevent unhygienic practices under BCRS, and if separate collection bins and facilities for liquid disposal would be provided at high-use locations.

BCRS was launched on Apr. 1, 2026.