PURPOSE: To save the labor in throwing in an empty can, and to simplify the structure of a pressing part.

CONSTITUTION: An empty can collecting machine is provided with an empty can throw-in port 4 to receive the empty can in the longitudinal direction, a longitudinal fixed receiving plate 12 which receives the empty can thrown in from the empty can throw-in port 4 in a horizontal position, and a movable pressing plate 13 which is arranged opposite to the longitudinal fixed receiving plate 12, whose lower end part is supported by the horizontal shaft parallel to the thrown-in empty can, and which is separated through a slight space from the fixed receiving plate 12 and forms the top-open space apart from the fixed receiving plate 12 as elevated upward. The empty can collecting machine is also provided with a driving mechanism A which reciprocates the movable pressing plate 13 between the empty can receiving position apart from the fixed receiving plate 12 and the pressing position close to the fixed receiving plate, a material sensor 40 to detect the material of the crushed empty can passing through the space, and a distributing plate 41 which is driven by the material sensor 40 and distributes the crushed empty can passing downward through the space into an aluminum can storing box 30 and a steel can storing box 31 located at the bottom.