Abstract: A method for handling waste in a system having multiple and operatively interconnected stations. Each station has a closed hopper unit, a removable storage unit, and a compactor unit having a reciprocally driven compactor unit means. The method comprises the steps of: sensing the presence of an adjacent vehicle and opening the hopper unit and depositing waste therein; sensing the absence of an adjacent vehicle and closing the open hopper unit; actuating the compactor means to transfer waste from the hopper unit and compact the waste in the storage unit; detecting the density of the compacted waste and comparing the density thereof to a predetermined value; deactivating a station when the density of compacted waste therein exceeds the predetermined value; activating an interconnected station having an empty storage unit; and, removing the storage unit from the deactivated station for emptying.

Abstract: A system for the handling of solid waste involving multiple solid waste handling stations. Each station has a hopper unit for receiving waste, a storage unit, and a compactor unit for transferring and compacting the waste. Each station is provided with detector means for detecting a packed storage unit. Adjoining stations are operatively interconnected by station selector means. The station selector means responds to the detector means to deactivate a station having a packed storage unit and to activate an adjoining station having an empty storage unit.