This invention refers to the structure of a refuse compactor for domestic uses. This structure comprises an outer containing casing (11) which provides a seat (12) for a refuse container (13) open toward the top and extractable from the seat by extracting means (14). A refuse compacting pressing plate (16) is attached to the outer containing casing (11), so as to be capable of sliding inside the refuse container (13) through a mechanism of a linked "pantograph" type (17). An arm (20, 21) of the latter (17) carries a hinged sliding actuator (27) for moving said mechanism (17), which is in turn hinged to the outer containing casing (11). When said pressing plate (16) is in a completely lifted position, the sliding actuator (27) conveniently moves in a prevalent manner in a direction at a right angle to the sliding direction of the pressing plate (16) itself.
