What is Recycle N Save?
Recycle N Save is a joint initiative by F&N Foods and the National Environment Agency (NEA). This initiative encourages Singaporeans to adopt an eco-conscious lifestyle by offering them a convenient and rewarding way of recycling used plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans with the help of smart Reverse Vending Machines placed across Singapore.
This initiative combines a compelling cause, a means for Singaporeans to recycle their used plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans and a reward for their efforts.
When was the Recycle N Save Initiative rolled out?
This joint initiative with NEA and supported by FairPrice was launched on 31 October 2019 with 10 Recycle N Save smart reverse vending machines placed across various locations in Singapore.
What are Reverse Vending Machines?
Reverse Vending Machines, or RVMs, are machines which are able to identify, sort and collect empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans and reward users when the containers have been accepted by the machines.
What does the Recycle N Save RVM accept?
The RVMs have been programmed to identify and accept empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans that have a readable barcode on them. The RVMs can accept a wide variety of shapes and sizes of empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans and that can fit in the aperture of 15cm in diameter.
What are the rewards given out by the RVM?
Users can choose one of the following rewards for every 10 drink containers (plastic drink bottle / aluminium drink can) successfully deposited:
Terms and Conditions apply.
What happens if I deposit less than 10 empty plastic drink bottles and/or aluminium drink cans in the Multi-Reward RVMs or do not have bottles/cans in multiples of 10 to deposit?
The Multi-Reward RVMs have been programmed to reward users for every 10 empty drink containers (plastic drink bottles and/or aluminium drink cans) deposited.
Should you deposit less than the minimum quantity required, the RVM will still accept the drink containers but will not disburse any reward.
Should you deposit less than the minimum quantity required, the RVM will still accept the drink containers but will not disburse any reward.
Why is it necessary to deposit 10 containers at the Multi-Reward RVMs to get rewarded?
The rewards offered at the RVMs are pegged to the quantity recycled. Through this initiative, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and F&N hope to incentivise the public to actively collect and segregate their recyclables, and to bring their accumulated empty plastic drink bottles and/or aluminium drink cans to the RVMs for recycling.
How do I use the RVMs?
Please go to "How to use" page on our website for the step-by-step user guide. Alternatively, the user guide is displayed on the front of every machine, as well as on the touchscreen of every machine.
Why must there be a barcode on bottles/cans for them to be accepted?
The barcodes allow the reverse vending machines to differentiate between plastic bottles and aluminium cans which are then sorted into different compartments within the machine. The barcodes also allow the machine to determine if a container is empty by cross referencing the weight of the container deposited versus its weight stored in a database.
Why does the reverse vending machine work only with the bottom of bottles/cans facing inwards?
Placing the containers with the bottom facing inwards will allow the machine to read the barcode on the containers more accurately and also allow it to differentiate between plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans.
The RVM does not recognise the plastic drink bottle or aluminium drink can that I have deposited into the machine, what can I do?
Please ensure that the drink container is completely empty and has a readable barcode before depositing it into the RVM.
If the RVM still does not recognise the container, you can reach us via WhatsApp Chat at 9880 5238 at any time. Do also provide us with the product name, size and barcode.
You may wish to dispose of the container at the nearest recycling bin or keep your container for disposal after we have informed you that the machine database has been updated.
If the RVM still does not recognise the container, you can reach us via WhatsApp Chat at 9880 5238 at any time. Do also provide us with the product name, size and barcode.
You may wish to dispose of the container at the nearest recycling bin or keep your container for disposal after we have informed you that the machine database has been updated.
The RVM was full when I wanted to deposit my drink containers, what can I do?
You can reach us via WhatsApp Chat at 9880 5238 at any time. Do also provide us with the machine number (which can be found on the label towards the upper right of the RVM aperture).
You may wish to dispose of the container at the nearest recycling bin or keep your container for disposal after we have informed you that the machine has been emptied.
You may wish to dispose of the container at the nearest recycling bin or keep your container for disposal after we have informed you that the machine has been emptied.
I’ve encountered another issue not listed above, what can I do?
You can reach us via WhatsApp Chat at 9880 5238 at any time.
I would like to learn more about the Recycle N Save Initiative, how can I get in touch?
You can reach us via WhatsApp Chat at 9880 5238 at any time.
Tell us more about the reverse vending machines and why they are being introduced?
In everyday life, simple green habits can be developed easily over time which will help protect the environment and the world we live in. In the spirit of forming healthy green habits, F&N Foods has embarked on an initiative with NEA supported by FairPrice to encourage Singaporeans to adopt an eco-conscious lifestyle by offering them a convenient and rewarding way to recycle used plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans with the help of these reverse vending machines.
Reverse vending machines are machines which are able to identify, sort and collect used plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans. The machines are programmed to identiy and reject containers which are not plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans, or are not empty or without readable barcodes.
Reverse vending machines are machines which are able to identify, sort and collect used plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans. The machines are programmed to identiy and reject containers which are not plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans, or are not empty or without readable barcodes.
Are there any plans to educate members of the public on how to use the Recycle N Save Smart Reverse Vending Machines?
Yes. Since October 2019, Recycle N Save Education Roadshows have been held at select locations where we placed the Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).
In March 2020, the RVM School Education Programme was launched in selected schools to educate and encourage students to actively collect and segregate their recyclables and to bring their accumulated empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans to the RVMs for recycling.
If your school is interested in participating in the programme, please submit your request electronically using NEA’s Online Feedback Form.
In March 2020, the RVM School Education Programme was launched in selected schools to educate and encourage students to actively collect and segregate their recyclables and to bring their accumulated empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans to the RVMs for recycling.
If your school is interested in participating in the programme, please submit your request electronically using NEA’s Online Feedback Form.
