an apparatus for compacting objects such as plastic bottles and cans whose material is to be recycled includes a detector device , two discharge openings and a compactor device . the detector device has at least one code reader for distinguishing approved from rejected objects . one of the two discharge openings is intended for approved objects and the other for rejected objects . the compactor device compacts the approved objects and has continuous , non - cyclic operation . as a result , waiting times are avoided between the discharge of an approved object and the commencement of the compaction thereof .