Abstract: A method of vending a product from a vending machine into a reusable container adapted to receive the product from the vending machine, the method comprising: receiving user account information from a computer readable means disposed on the reusable container by the vending machine, said user account information corresponding to a user account comprising credit information; receiving an identifier from a mobile device; comparing the received identifier with a selected identifier associated with the user account; authorising deduction of credit from said user account by the vending machine in response to the received identifier matching the selected identifier; accessing said user account by the vending machine; deducting said credit corresponding to a credit value of said product from said user account based on said credit information to purchase the product; and subsequently vending said product to be received by the reusable container.