A pressing cylinder (1), preferably for use in a refuse compressor for compression of refuse, which when in use is preferably in a vertical position, and at the bottom is coupled to a pressing plate (2) and at the top to a secured top plate (3) and which can activate the pressing plate in upward and downward directions, is composed of preferably three cylinder sections, namely a first and lower cylinder section (4), which at the bottom is attached to the pressing plate (2), a second and intermediate cylinder section (5), which can be displaced telescopically in the cylinder's longitudinal direction on the first cylinder section (4), and a third and upper cylinder section (6), which at the top is attached to the top plate (3), and which can be displaced telescopically on the second cylinder section (5). The cylinder section (6) is at the bottom embodied with a bottom plate (7), which in combination with the cylinder section (6) and the top plate delimits a closed hollow space (8). Between the periphery of the bottom plate (7) and the bottom edge of the cylinder barrel of the cylinder section (4) there is internally in the pressing cylinder clamped an approximately cylinder-shaped bendable diaphragm in the cylinder's extended position, whereby an airtight space (10) is created internally in the pressing cylinder. The bottom plate (7) is embodied with an access opening for compressed air, which is admitted to the space (10) through a pipe (12) from a three-way valve (13), which in an initial position opens for compressed air from a compressor (14), and in a second position opens the space (10) to the atmosphere.