Biometric reader for compactor/baler and method

A compactor/baler for compacting materials, the compactor/baler comprising:

• a frame defining a compacting chamber;
• a platen movable within the compacting chamber and mounted to the frame;
• a chamber door mounted to the frame;
• a loading gate located above the chamber door, the loading gate movable between a closed position blocking a loading opening and an open position exposing the loading opening, the loading opening providing access to the compacting chamber, the loading gate movable along a gate path;
• a gate locking mechanism including a locking bar, the gate locking mechanism mounted to a top portion of the frame, the locking bar movable between a blocking position located at least partially within the gate path and a withdrawn position wherein the locking bar is spaced from the gate path;
• and
• a fingerprint reader in communication with the gate locking mechanism, the locking bar being in the blocking position and the loading gate being in the closed position in a locked configuration, the fingerprint reader actuating the compactor/baler to a loading configuration from the locked configuration only when the fingerprint reader accepts an authorized user's fingerprint and an associated authorization code that correspond to a stored fingerprint and a stored authorization code, the locking bar being in the withdrawn position in the loading configuration.