Abstract: A large cylindrical enclosure shaped to look like a huge beverage can has a recessed area in its outer wall containing an operator's panel and an opening into the interior for inserting empty recyclable beverage cans. Inside the enclosure is a conveyor for receiving the inserted cans, a discriminator for distinguishing between ferrous and non-ferrous cans and a pneumatic transporter for carrying the cans to a mechanical crusher which compacts the cans individually and discharges them into a temporary storage area from which they are removed from time to time for recycling. The operator'panel includes a photoelectric sensor for initiating operation of the mechanisms in the interior of the structure and may also include various visual readouts as well as a dispenser for feeding out coins, printed credit slips and receipts.