Abstract: A collapsible receptacle has an open top and closed bottom when open, as well as a plurality of adjacent rectangular side panels, each of which defines a peripheral edge that is formed of a bottom edge, a top edge and two spaced substantially parallel lateral edges, as well as an interior area that is enclosed by the edges of each panel. A panel of substantially flexible sheet material fills the enclosed area of each side panel. The adjacent side panels are flexibly joined at their lateral edges to define, when open, a receptacle with a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along in the direction of these lateral edges. The edges define a polygon with a number of sides equal to the number of side panels and open at top and bottom edges, and a cover connected to the bottom edge of at least one side panel for closing the receptacle at its bottom end. The invention is also comprised of first and second stiffening means.