A trash compactor assembly includes a receptacle including a base connected to at least one wall having an upper edge. A retaining chamber is defined between the wall(s) and the upper edge. A compaction plate is disposed within the retaining chamber. The compaction plate is configured to be manually moved in an upward direction from the base towards the upper edge to compact trash within the retaining chamber.

A weight-measurement system for inclusion or use with a waste container includes scale devices in communication with a remote computer via a communications module. The scale devices can be provided by load cells for example load-pin load cells used as axles for wheels mounted to a base frame supporting the waste container so that the wheeled base frame serves as a scale platform for the waste container. The remote computer can be programmed to receive from the load cells, via the communications module, weight data representing the total weight of the waste container and its waste contents, then deduct the known weight of the waste container when empty, to determine the actual weight of the waste contained in the waste container. And the computer can be programmed for providing a notification if a preset waste weight limit is met or neared and automatically scheduling emptying by a waste-collection vehicle.

A compaction capable receptacle may include a housing with a trash receiving opening, a compaction unit arranged within the housing, and a trash bin arranged within the housing and articulable between a compaction position within the housing and a trash receiving position within the housing, the compaction position aligning the trash bin with a compaction stroke of the compaction unit and the trash receiving position aligning a portion of the trash bin with the trash receiving opening.

A refuse truck body having a main compartment and at least one side compartment includes shields to close a rear opening of the compartments. A respective pushing device is provided for discharging refuse from each compartment. In a closed position, the shield is latched to the truck body by a locking device that selectively locks and unlocks each shield against its opening. A sequencing system is operatively connected between a lock for the packing unit and the actuator for closing and latching the shields, which prevents unlocking and raising the packing unit before the shields are closed and latched to the truck body. A sequencing system is operatively connected between the pushing device for a compartment and the actuator for closing and latching the shields, which prevents operation of the pushing device to discharge refuse from the compartment unless the shield for that compartment is unlatched.

A method and system for compacting waste materials in a collection container. The container can be a freestanding waste container, a self-contained compaction container, or a container on a waste collection vehicle. A hydraulically operated compactor blade is positioned in the upper portion of the container with its bottom edge a distance above the floor. A door member can be provided in the rear wall of the collection container. The compactor blade can be in its rest position relative to the top opening. The container member can be positioned or located on a trailer or truck-type vehicle and adapted to be tilted for evacuation of materials collected therein.

The present disclosure concerns a compaction apparatus having a hopper housing defining a hopper chamber to receive materials; a container storing the materials in a compacted fashion; a screw conveying the materials from the hopper chamber to the container and comprising a screw hopper segment extending in the hopper chamber; a partition assembly located between the hopper and the container; and a containment assembly comprising a flap mounted to the hopper housing and being movable between a loading configuration wherein the flap uncovers the screw hopper segment, and a containment configuration in which the flap at least partially covers the screw hopper segment to contain the materials in the hopper chamber.

A waste management system having improved maneuverability and versatility. The system includes a container bay configured to house a compactor unit having a receptacle body configured to receive waste in a cavity surrounded by container walls and a tow member affixed to a forward container wall, the tow member. The tow member is disposed in close proximity to the front wall in order to provide better maneuverability when maneuvered by a deployment vehicle. Typically, first and second of the tow member converge at a tow engagement mechanism disposed at a distance from the forward container wall that is equal to or less than one tenth of a length of the container. The system may further include a local control station situated at the container bay and configured to engage with waste container such that the control station may control functionality of the compactor unit.

A screw conveyor system for a compaction apparatus can be adapted on a material transportation vehicle. The compaction apparatus is characterized by having a hopper receiving materials and a container storing the materials in a compacted fashion. The compaction apparatus comprises a screw conveyor system that can include a screw conveying the materials from the hopper to the container, a passageway structure traversed by the screw, located between the hopper and the container and allowing passage of the materials. The passageway structure can define an asymmetrical aperture and the passageway structure can include a main passageway and a by-pass passageway allowing passage of materials from the hopper to the container.

A method and system for compacting waste materials in a collection container. The container can be a freestanding waste container, a self-container compaction container, or a container on a waste collection vehicle. A hydraulically operated compactor blade is positioned in the raised upper portion of the container with its bottom edge a distance above the floor. A platform with a hinged portion can be included to divide the container volume into two separate compartments in order to collect different types of waste materials.

A recycling method is disclosed that includes the steps of compacting recyclable material into a fixed bale of recyclable material while concurrently weighing the OCC in the compactor and independently of the force that the compactor applies to the material or to the bale, assigning an individual identifier to the fixed bale in which the identifier includes at least the weight of the bale, and sending the fixed identified bale to a destination selected from the group consisting of shippers, mills, rebalers, or a customers for the baled recyclable material. Also, devices and methods are disclosed for upgrading existing or new balers to enable them to perform at least some portions of the improved recycling methods. Example devices include baler-mounted load-cell weight sensors and U-shaped anchor plates for securing them in place in a free-floating arrangement.