6 Uncommon Vending Machines You Can Find In Singapore
If you think that vending machines in Singapore are only stocked with snacks and bottled drinks, think again.
Social distancing, contactless delivery of products and services to minimise human touch points are all the rage now (hands up 🙋🏻🙋🏻♂️ if you have empty boxes by your door for deliverers to leave your food in). Stripped of human contact and usually located in the forgotten corners at malls, who knew vending machines would now thrive and be given a new lease of life? From succulents to hair styling products, vending machines have up their game these days. You can even recycle and get rewarded with discount vouchers!
In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the most unique vending machines you can find in Singapore!
While Choa Chu Kang Public Library is temporarily closed for upgrading works, bookworms fret not - Singapore’s first-ever book dispenser has arrived at Lot One Shoppers' Mall!
With over 260 titles available at the book dispenser, from the latest fiction to the trendiest cookbooks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The books are replenished daily, and any items that are not borrowed within 15 days will be replaced. So you don’t have to worry about running out of titles to borrow. Through its interactive screen, you can conveniently browse and borrow from a selection of curated books. Just like being at a physical library, you can also collect your reserved books, magazines or audio-visual (AV) materials at the book dispenser!
If you’re staying nearby, why not swing by Lot One Shoppers’ Mall and pick up a book to read on your next café date? Up your game and throw on a brunch outfit that will elevate your "looks with books" vibe.
Where to find it? | |
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Lot One Shoppers' Mall | Level 1, opposite The Body Shop, #01-14 |
Where to find them at our malls?
Click here for the full list of the specific locations where you can find the reverse vending machines!
We’ve all seen vending machines dispense drink cans when you feed them with coins. But have you seen one that takes in empty drink cans and plastic bottles and gives out rewards instead?!
These “reverse” vending machines are an initiative between NEA and F&N that aims to encourage an eco-conscious lifestyle by offering a convenient and rewarding way to recycle. For every 10 empty bottles and cans that you recycle through these reverse vending machines, you will receive rewards such as CapitaLand malls e-vouchers, free rides from the bike-sharing firm Anywheel or Sentosa Fun Pass Tokens!
Here’s a tip for fitness junkies, keep those empty isotonic bottles after you are done with them. You can exchange these empty bottles and cans at the reverse vending machines for ActiveSG credits for your next #gymsesh!
3. Halal Baby Food Vending Machine
Where to find it? | |
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IMM Shopping mall | Level 1, near taxi stand and ATMs/AXS |
Halal food from a vending machine? Yes! Halal baby food from a vending machine? DOUBLE YES!! Heads up to Muslim mothers, this vending machine by Dhaqq Nutritions carrying halal-certified baby food might just save you some trouble the next time you run out of snacks for the little ones while you are out shopping.
Dhaqq Nutritions first started in 2015 as an online store for mothers and babies. Back then, business owner Adilah Latip would receive calls from expectant mothers in the wee hours of the night, asking if they could drop by to pick up bottles of date juice which are supposed to facilitate the childbirth process. Due to the popular demand, the business started selling their products in a vending machine as a more accessible alternative.
Located outside Giant Hypermarket at IMM, you will find Dhaqq Nutritions best-selling products ranging from rice sticks ($4.50 a pack) to Tara juice, a pomegranate-flavoured health beverage ($35 a box).
4. EZ-Link Vending Machine
Some collect stamps, others collect stickers. There’s no shame in wanting to collect the latest range of EZ-Link cards with Sanrio characters (gotta catch’em all) if that’s what rocks your boat!
The very first EZ-Link card vending machine was launched at Bugis Junction in September last year. Today, die-hard EZ-Link card collectors can now find four of these vending machines at several CapitaLand malls! You can now easily get your hands on the latest EZ-Link cards with values ranging from $5 to $10, and adorable charms between $14.90 and $29.90!
If you are a collector dedicated to owning every EZ-Link card design and charm, or simply a fan of cute merchandise and chibi characters such as Little Twin Star and Gudetama, you have to check out these vending machines!
Where to find them? | |
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Bishan Junction 8 | Level 1, opposite McDonald’s at #01-20 |
Bugis Junction | Level 1, opposite #01-111 Level 1, next to Sharetea #01-14A |
Westgate | Level 1, opposite Sephora at #01-23/24 |
5. Green Thumb x Vending Machine for Potted Succulents
On a last-minute hunt for gifts? Ditch your usual flower bouquets and surprise your loved ones with a small dainty pot of succulents from Green Thumb x vending machines instead!
Located at Tampines Mall, Bishan Junction 8 and JCube, these succulents make a more practical, unwilting (but not undying) gift as compared to flowers.
You don’t have to worry about the quality. Green Thumb x spends extra effort to ensure that customers are paying for green and healthy succulents. The owner, who is a plant lover himself, frequently monitors the conditions in the machines via temperature and humidity sensors. Special ventilation systems and strips of LED lights are also used to keep the succulents healthy till they are purchased. Depending on the number and type of succulents, each potted plant prices between $8 to $25.
Want to add a personal touch to your succulent gift? Check out this DIY terrarium and be inspired!
Where to find them? | |
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Tampines mall | Level 3, near SKP #03-19 |
Bishan Junction 8 | Level 1, near Customer Service |
JCube | Level 1, near The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf #01-22/23 |
6. SG Pomades’s Hair Styling Products Vending Machine
With Singapore’s hot and humid weather, we know that it can sometimes be difficult for guys to have their hair looking on fleek on special occasions (aka date nights).
If your hair is out of shape by mid-day, SG Pomades might just have the solution for a quick hair fix with their vending machines located islandwide. Besides the usual oil and water-based pomades, SG Pomades also offers hybrid-based and even all-natural pomades.
The vending machines carry an extensive collection of hair styling products which include scented pomades, such as the cult-favourite Arcadian Clay Pomade ($28), Ubersuave Texturing Matt Wax ($20), and other accessories.
Rain or shine - your hair will be here to stay and slay!
Where to find them? | |
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JCube | Level 2, Left side of #02-01 |
Raffles City Shopping Centre | Basement 1, In front of Wine Connection #B1-43F |
Plaza Singapura | Basement 1, Outside Burger King #B1-11 |
Junction 8 | Level 3, Outside OSIM store #03-10 |
Vending machines are great, but if you are fully embracing social distancing yet want to fulfil that insatiable shopping desire, we’ve got your back with our e-deals on #eCapitaMall! Shop your way!