apparatus and methods for the recovery and recycling of metal , glass , plastic and paper containers and combinations thereof for beverages and similar article containers , which provides reimbursement of container deposits or fees upon the return of such containers . apparatus and methods may be incorporated in an article dispensing machine with common coin exchange system and with a common container storage system . apparatus and methods may be a self - contained unit independent of an article dispensing system . apparatus and methods have the capability of performing operations of compacting , sorting , and storing received containers of varying composition . apparatus and methods provide for removal of recovered containers from incorporated and self - contained container recovery systems . apparatus and methods have the capability for reducing , detecting and controlling errors in the return of unacceptable containers . apparatus and methods provide for the accounting of the recovered containers .