EB Studio A 10-cent refund incentive (US$0.012) for residents who return their beverage containers is deemed inadequate, with at least half of the survey respondents signalling that the amount must be increased to at least five times the current rate.

Trying to collect and recycle the palm-sized packets has not worked for Indonesia, said the co-founder and director of Alner. The start-up wants to collaborate with large corporations such as Unilever to push for a “reuse-and-refill” model.

EB Studio Details on the legally-binding policy, set for a June launch this year, are scant. Insiders familiar with its workings are worried that a less-than-ideal cup recovery rate will hamper a larger movement towards a circular economy.