A system for reducing a paperboard drum to recyclable components including a cutter assembly receiving and rotating the chime end of a drum and severing the sidewall from the chime. A pair of pivot arms subsequently engage the drum header and sidewall and effect a general axial shifting thereof for partial disengagement of the released chime for subsequent manual removal of the chime and header. The resultant drum sidewall is guided, for movement on a helical path, into a chopper assembly which cuts the sidewall into a continuous helical strip which is immediately chopped into short lengths for disposal.