A collapsible container (10) consists of three parts: a rigid top rim (12), a flexible center band (14), and a rigid base (20). This combination of sections allows the container to easily collapse to about one-third of its original height. The container is also quite stable when expanded and is self-supporting. In various embodiments of the invention, for example, the upper rim (12) may be expandable, the base (20) may include holes or mesh to serve as a colander or strainer, or the base may be configured as a tube to function as a funnel.