Why do containers need to be in near-original condition and not crushed?

Reverse vending machines verify each container by reading its barcode and cross-checking it against the container’s expected shape and material. This is how the machine confirms that the container is eligible for a deposit refund and prevents fraudulent returns. A crushed or heavily deformed container may make the barcode unreadable or prevent the shape recognition from working correctly, causing the machine to reject it. To make sure your return is processed smoothly, bring containers back in their original shape.