Automated trash management system

Abstract

An automated trash management system for measuring the fullness of a plurality of trash containers, each trash container associated with a packing system having a compression member for engaging and compacting the trash in the container and, optionally having a limit switch activated by the compression member when the compression member is fully extended for controlling the movement of the compression member by the packing system. The automated trash management system comprises a plurality of remote status units each in association with a trash container comprising a sensing device for monitoring the pressure provided to the compression member by the compacting system and means for determining the fullness of the trash container based upon the monotonic increase in pressure associated with the compression member engaging and compacting the trash in a container, a central unit for receiving the container fullness calculations from each remote status unit and for compiling a data base of the fullness of each trash container and a communications linkage for transferring the fullness calculations from said plurality of remote status units to the central units such that the fullness of each trash container can be monitored at the single location of the central unit, and from the same single location, authorization to a hauler to empty the trash containers can be restricted to only those containers which are approaching full thereby reducing the frequency of and the expense of hauling.