Trash compactor assembly

A trash compacting method, comprising:

• providing a receptacle including a base connected to at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall has an upper edge, wherein a retaining chamber is defined between the at least one wall and the upper edge;
• disposing a compaction plate within the retaining chamber;
• and
• configuring the compaction plate to be manually moved in an upward direction from the base towards the upper edge to compact trash within the retaining chamber, wherein a cord extends outwardly from the receptacle and is coupled to the compaction plate, wherein the cord has a free end that is configured to be outwardly pulled away from the receptacle, wherein a grasping handle is secured to the free end of the cord, wherein the grasping handle is configured to be manually grasped and pulled, and wherein the compaction plate moves upwardly in response to the free end of the cord being outwardly pulled away from the receptacle.

A vehicle comprising:

• an internal cabin;
• a lavatory within the internal cabin;
• and
• a trash containment system within the lavatory, wherein the trash containment system comprises:
• an outer wall;
• an upper wall connected to the outer wall, wherein the upper wall includes a trash-receiving opening, wherein a trash compartment is defined between the outer wall and the upper wall;
• an access door moveably coupled to one or both of the outer wall and the upper wall, wherein the access door is configured to be moved between an open position in which the trash compartment is exposed and a closed position in which the trash compartment is covered;
• and
• a trash compactor assembly positioned within the trash compartment, wherein the trash compactor comprises:
• a receptacle including a base connected to at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall has an upper edge, wherein a retaining chamber is defined between the at least one wall and the upper edge;
• a compaction plate disposed within the retaining chamber, wherein 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 cord extending outwardly from the receptacle and coupled to the compaction plate, wherein the cord has a free end that is configured to be outwardly pulled away from the receptacle, and wherein the compaction plate moves upwardly in response to the free end of the cord being outwardly pulled away from the receptacle;
• and
• a grasping handle secured to the free end of the cord, wherein the grasping handle is configured to be manually grasped and pulled.