Industrial Can Crushers For Hire or Purchase
QCR Recycling Equipment supply a wide range of industrial-grade crushers for paint cans, tins, drums, oil filters and aluminium cans helping to reduce waste volume by up to 90%. We hire and sell high-performance equipment engineered for efficiency, safety and long-term savings.
Why crush cans?
UK businesses have strict legal obligations to dispose of can waste safely and responsibly. For those with high volumes of can waste, crushing the cans prior to disposal is the key to efficient waste management. The advantages of crushing can waste include:
- Lower Disposal Costs: By compacting can waste using a crusher, fewer waste collections are needed which directly cuts commercial waste costs (which are often linked to volume).
- Minimise Wasted Space: By reducing the amount of air inside a can through compaction, you can store more waste in the same space prior to disposal.
Why hire a crusher from QCR Recycling Equipment?
We've supplied industrial-grade can recycling equipment for over 25 years which is why so many businesses in the UK choose to hire equipment from us. Whether you need can crushing equipment for a short-term project or a longer term solution, QCR's fully-maintained service includes:
- Free delivery and machine installation by our own team of experts plus they're SafeContractor™ accredited for extra assurance
- Free annual machine service (including replacement parts & labour) and technical support from our award-winning engineers
- Free training sessions provided with certificates, risk assessments & method statements provided
- Fixed term hire cost with the option to upgrade your machine size mid-contract without penalty
QCR CP30A Pneumatic Can Crusher
An industrial heavy-duty air-powered crusher for paint cans, tins and small drums up to 480mm in height with a pressing force of up to 2.25 tonnes.
- Crusher connects to a 25mm diameter hose to collect residual liquids for enhanced safety and hygiene
- Simple operating procedures with minimal maintenace required
- Engineered to EN 16500:2014 European Machinery Standards
QCR CP30H Hydraulic Can Crusher
A high-performance industrial 13amp electric crusher for cans, tins and drums up to 460mm in height with a pressing force of up to 4 tonnes.
- Fully compliant with EN 16500:2014 standards
- Thoroughly quality checked and tested
- Supplied with a comprehensive 6 month warranty including parts, labour and call outs
QCR CP30HDXL Hydraulic Steel Can Crusher
A powerful hydraulic crusher for cans and tins up to 500mm in height and 300mm in diameter with a compaction force of up to 4 tonnes.
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Features a waste liquid collection tray to capture any residue for enhanced workplace safety and hygiene
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Install over a bin for rapid can disposal
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Robustly engineered for long life and reliability
QCR CP308HXL Paint Can & Oil Filter Crusher
An industrial-grade hydraulic crusher with a compaction force of up to 8 tonnes suitable for oil filters and paint cans. The crushed waste drops into a standard 205L hazardous waste collection drum underneath.
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Drains excess liquids for separate disposal
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Suitable for cans with liquid paint inside and also dried-out cans

QCR H3 Aluminium Can Crusher
A crusher for beverage cans to make them more efficient to recycle by reducing their volume. This aluminium can baler crushes lots of cans at once to form a compact bale which can be sold for recycling when collected in bulk.
- Features large hopper for efficient loading of loose drinks cans
- Conforms to EN 16500:2014 safety legislation
- As seen on BBC news in March 2026 in a feature about WE CAN CIC (Community Interest Company).
Choosing the right type of can crusher hire for your needs
Can crushing machines generally fall into two main categories which are pneumatic (air-powered) or hydraulic (fluid-powered). While some hire companies advocate for only one type, QCR offer both because the best solution for your crushing your metal can waste is entirely dependent on your site, you can size, your volume and your budget.
Before hiring industrial can crushing equipment, consider these important factors:
1. Equipment Suitability: Choosing the most appropriate crushing machinery for your can waste is crucial. Whilst most crushers will work well on 1L cans, if you have larger 25L cans you'll need an industrial-grade machine.
2. Servicing Provision: When renting equipment on a long-term basis, you'll need to think about who is responsible for servicing it. Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) should only be undertaken by a competent person which is why it's recommended to choose a provider that includes free servicing (including spare parts) as part of the contract.
3. Understand the Costs: Read the rental agreement thoroughly to prevent any unforeseen costs. Choosing to hire from a provider that offers fixed price hire contracts will aid financial planning when calculating the ROI (return on investment).
4. Training Needs: The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) make it mandatory for employers to provide full training to employees who use can crushing equipment. To fulfil your obligations, choose a provider that offers free in-person training as part of the contract to keep everyone safe.
Conclusion: Consult with a specialist supplier such as QCR to ensure you're getting the right equipment for your crushing your can waste. A free trial can help you check you are satisfied before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does a Paint Can Crusher work?
A Paint Can Crusher features a powerful ram that moves downwards applying a high degree of pressure to compact the can against the base of the unit. As a result of the compaction process, the height of a typical paint can is reduced by approximately 5:1, whilst the diameter of the can remains broadly the same.
2. How much does a Paint Can Crusher cost?
Prices start from only £23.00 per week (ex VAT) which includes free machine delivery, free installation by our own SafeContractor™ accredited team, free ongoing staff training, breakdown cover and routine machine servicing.
3. Do Paint Can Crushers save money?
In a recent trial we crushed a 1 litre paint can by 5:1 using a QCR CP30H Hydraulic Can Crusher. This degree of compaction can lead to significant cost savings for businesses that are invoiced for waste disposal based on waste volume.
4. Can you use a Can Crusher if there is oil or paint left in the tin?
Yes, QCR supply Industrial Can Crushing Machines that feature in-built drainage systems that can capture liquid residue expelled during the compaction process. This residue can then be disposed of with the help of a specialist waste carrier.
5. What sizes of paint tins do they fit?
Most industrial-grade pneumatic and hydraulic crushers can be used to compact 1-25L tins. Whilst large tins will need to be compacted separately, multiple small tins can be compacted together to make the process more time efficient.
6. Which is the best Commercial Can Crusher?
Get a bespoke quote from our industry-leading expert-led team to find out which is the best commercial can crusher for your needs. We'll assess your waste, understand your procedures and recommend can crushing machinery to match your needs. We work with clients that need a crusher to support a one-off project and also those that need a longer term solution.
Aftersales Support
QCR are a leading UK provider of can compactor rental services with over 25 years' experience of offering this type of crushing equipment. When exploring who the best can crusher rental near you, you'll discover that QCR can provide short term and long term compactor rental options across the UK from our 3 regional centres. Our highly rated customer service includes:
- Expert-led technical support from consultation to installation from our knowledgeable and accredited team who have been awarded SafeContractor™ status due to our excellence in health & safety
- Free training certificates, method statements and risk assessments for all can and drum compaction equipment supplied by us
Warranty Information
- Our 12 month compactor warranty on new crushers includes call outs, parts and labour for added reassurance
- Our 6 month warranty on our fully tested used and refurbished crushers includes call outs, parts and labour.
Customers also have the option to extend the warranty period by purchasing a Service Agreement from us.








