Abstract: Apparatus for compacting discarded wastepaper, cardboard boxes and the like into bale form comprising a container having a floor, a platen movable downwardly toward the floor for compacting the material, and a drive means for pulling the platen downwardly. The drive means includes a pair of upright screws drivingly connected to opposite ends of the platen, a pair of pulleys engaged with the lower ends of the screws, and a pair of drive belts which connect the pulleys to a motor, which is positioned on the back wall of the container at substantially equal distances from each screw. Turning of the pulleys by the motor additionally rotates the screws thereby driving the platen up or down. A pair of circuit interrupting switches are electrically associated with the motor and engage the drive belts. The switches are operable to shut off the motor in response to belt breakage.