The disclosure relates to an apparatus for securely (and preferably reversibly) holding a container having a concave interior portion while a liner that abuts the concave interior portion 5 is removed from the container by peeling it therefrom. The apparatus includes a container holder having one or more holding surfaces, such as the interior of an orifice that extends through it. A holding surface (e.g., an O-ring or ridge) secures the container temporarily and reversibly, and prevents the container from disengaging from the container holder during peeling of the liner. An optional deflector can deflect a tab portion of the liner to facilitate its 10 removal from the container. After the liner is removed, the remaining portion of the container can be removed from the apparatus (e.g., and recycled).