A hand held and hand operated device for compacting and crushing an aluminum beverage can is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate handle that is grasped by the user's hand. An aluminum can is held in a gripper element at one end of the handle. The free end of the aluminum can extending from the gripper element is then pounded against a solid object in a manner similar to pounding one's clenched fist against a table top thereby crushing and compacting the aluminum can.