A compaction means for compacting refuse material. The compaction means comprises a body (11) which defines a chamber (13). A piston means (31) is slidably and sealingly mounted in the chamber and divides the chamber into an upper compaction space (33) and a lower secondary space (35). An access opening (19) is provided at the upper end of the compaction space for insertion of refuse material into and removal of compacted refuse material from the compaction space. The access opening can be closed in an airtight manner on a closure means (27). Operating means (41) including air pump (43) is operable to selectively evacuate air from one space and deliver the evacuated air into the other space to effect movement of the piston means through the chamber thereby to vary the volume of the compaction space. The compaction stroke is performed on upward movement of the piston towards the closed access opening.
