A method and apparatus for crushing and sorting cans to collect waste cans in an optimal weight-to-volume ratio. The can crushing and sorting method adapted to crush and sort cans by use of a can crushing device, into which the cans are sequentially supplied, involves an object determining step for determining, by a proximity sensor (124) installed at a can supply unit, whether or not an object is supplied, and then whether or not the supplied object is a can or a foreign matter, a can supplying step for if it is determined that the supplied object is a can, opening an opening/closing plate installed at the can supply unit, thereby supplying the can into a crushing/sorting/discharging unit (30), and a can crushing/sorting/discharging step for crushing the supplied can by a crushing plate installed in the crushing/sorting/discharging unit (30), sorting the crushed can using an electromagnetic force applied to the crushing plate by electromagnets (34) mounted to the crushing plate, in accordance with the material of the can, and then discharging the sorted can.