Abstract: An apparatus for baling loose materials includes a housing defining a charging passage and a compaction chamber. The baling apparatus also includes a compacting ram platen which moves through the charging passage to compact loose materials into a bale in the compaction chamber. In one embodiment, the baling apparatus includes a reinforcing frame disposed generally circumferentially about at least portion of the housing to provide structural reinforcement. The reinforcing frame defines an aperture through which the floor panel and the first and second opposed side panels of the housing are typically extended during the fabrication of the baling apparatus so as to be supported in a predetermined positional relationship. In another embodiment, the baling apparatus includes a knife assembly including a frame member, such as the reinforcing frame, mounted to the housing and a second cutting edge mounted to the frame member for controlled movement relative thereto.