Key Takeaways
- • The National Environment Agency (NEA) confirmed on October 9, 2026 that the Singapore Grand Prix is exempt from the 10-cent Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) deposit, so visitors will not pay the charge on drinks sold at the Marina Bay Street Circuit Park.
- • NEA attributed the exemption to the race's timing, held shortly after the scheme's full nationwide roll-out on October 1, 2026, and to the event's scale and nature.
- • Visitors are directed to deposit empty beverage bottles in recycling bins set up within the Circuit Park rather than in Return Right machines.
- • Race promoter Singapore GP is alerting attendees via push notifications on its SGP mobile app, with additional notices at food and beverage outlets and SGP Grid Bars.
- • Non-compliance with the scheme's labelling rules carries penalties under the Resource Sustainability Act of up to S$10,000 in fines and/or up to three months' imprisonment.
Summary
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has granted the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix an exemption from the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), meaning visitors to the event will not be charged the 10-cent deposit normally added to eligible drinks. In response to media queries on October 9, 2026, NEA said the exemption was granted because the event is being held very close to the October 1 full roll-out of the national scheme, and because of the race's scale and nature. Race promoter Singapore GP said on its website that the exemption covers beverages sold within the Marina Bay Street Circuit Park.
According to NEA, "Visitors will not be charged the 10-cent deposit, and they should deposit their empty beverage bottles at the recycling bins set up within the Circuit Park for recycling." Singapore GP will issue push notifications through its SGP mobile app on October 9 to inform visitors of these arrangements. NEA added that notices will also be displayed at food and beverage outlets and at SGP Grid Bars within the Circuit Park. The Singapore Grand Prix runs from October 9 to 11 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
The exemption sits within the wider framework of the BCRS. Under the scheme, eligible plastic bottles and metal cans ranging from 150 millilitres to 3 litres carry a 10-cent deposit that consumers pay at purchase and recover by returning empty containers to Return Right machines. Since October 1, 2026, it has been an offence for any party, including supermarket operators, to supply a regulated beverage without the scheme's deposit mark and barcode. Offenders under the Resource Sustainability Act face fines of up to S$10,000 and/or up to three months' jail. More than 1,000 Return Right machines became operational when the scheme launched on April 1, 2026.
According to NEA, "Visitors will not be charged the 10-cent deposit, and they should deposit their empty beverage bottles at the recycling bins set up within the Circuit Park for recycling." Singapore GP will issue push notifications through its SGP mobile app on October 9 to inform visitors of these arrangements. NEA added that notices will also be displayed at food and beverage outlets and at SGP Grid Bars within the Circuit Park. The Singapore Grand Prix runs from October 9 to 11 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
The exemption sits within the wider framework of the BCRS. Under the scheme, eligible plastic bottles and metal cans ranging from 150 millilitres to 3 litres carry a 10-cent deposit that consumers pay at purchase and recover by returning empty containers to Return Right machines. Since October 1, 2026, it has been an offence for any party, including supermarket operators, to supply a regulated beverage without the scheme's deposit mark and barcode. Offenders under the Resource Sustainability Act face fines of up to S$10,000 and/or up to three months' jail. More than 1,000 Return Right machines became operational when the scheme launched on April 1, 2026.
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