Abstract: A refuse compactor has a housing for containing a garbage receptacle, and a compression unit for compacting the refuse in the compaction unit from time to time. The compactor has a sensor for sensing the approach of persons wishing to deposit garbage. This sensor causes the opening of an inlet door. It has a second sensor, for gauging the level of refuse in the receptacle. When a sufficient bulk is collected, then the compression unit operates to compact the refuse. The compression unit is subject to three limiting conditions, the first being a “receptacle full” limit, the second being a load limit, and the third being a stroke limit. The compaction unit used is a scissors mechanism having one side of the scissors mechanism held in one plane.