Abstract: A portable can crushing device particularly suitable for crushing aluminum cans. The can crushing device is comprised of a housing having a carriage with an abutment movable towards a fixed abutment supported by the housing. The carriage is mounted for horizontal movement in slots in the housing and is moved toward the abutment by means of an eccentric cam, which has a curvature such that maximum force is applied to the can during the first few inches of travel, then a lesser force at higher speed is applied to complete the crushing of the can. The cam is provided by the edge of a rotably mounted plate engaging a roller on the carriage with the plate having a handle or lever for rotating the cam and applying the force. Aluminum cans placed between the carriage and end wall are crushed by rotating the handle up to apply a force through the cam to the carriage to crush the cans down to approximately less than one-fifth (1/5) their full size.