Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for sorting and classifying cans involving a first step of magnetically separating ferrous and bimetallic cans from aluminum cans. The aluminum cans are then carried to a collecting point. The next step is to separate the ferrous cans from bimetallic cans by immersing both in a liquid bath. The bimetallic cans and some punctured ferrous cans (such as large juice cans) are collected from the top of the bath and carried to a size separating device. The ferrous cans, which are normally fully opened, sink in a bath and are collected by a conveyor from the bottom of the bath. The bimetallic cans and the punctured cans are separated by sizing conveyors and are collected in separate collection devices. The result is to achieve a separation of the three basic classes of cans, reliably and inexpensively.