A can crusher (102), having: a backing plate (120); a left crush-arm (126) pivotally secured to the backing plate and having a left handle (130) and a left crush surface (128) that faces the backing plate when the can crusher is in a closed configuration (190); a right crush-arm (140) pivotally secured to the backing plate and having a right handle (144) and a right crush surface (142) that faces the backing plate when in the closed configuration; and a support plate (150). In a vertical orientation (152) the backing plate is oriented vertically; the support plate is disposed below horizontal sweeps (154, 156) of the crush surfaces; and the support plate supports a can in between the crush surfaces when the can crusher is in an open configuration (104).