Compacting mechanism for a refuse container

A compacting mechanism for fitting a surface over a refuse container comprising a support member for fitting to the surface, the support member having an aperture which in use is in register with an aperture in the surface. A compacting plate is mounted under the support member, and is coupled to an actuator rod through the aperture in the support member such that the rod may be manoeuvred from a storage position wherein the rod lies along the support member across the surface and the plate is drawn up under the surface to an operative position wherein the rod stands upright over the aperture in the support and may be pushed downwardly through the registering apertures to push the plate down into the container.