Evaluate and have a good understanding of where most of the trash is being generated within the facility.

Evaluate and have a good understanding of the trash collection points and/or trash storage areas and any streamlining opportunities that might exist.

Quantify the amount of trash being generated from the facility for the area(s) in which you are contemplating a trash compactor.

Evaluate the path and details involved with transporting both loose trash and compacted trash to the various collection points that exist around the facility (whether for temporary storage or for waste hauler pick-up).

Based on both existing operations and conditions as well as future expectations, try to evaluate whether or not you would be better suited with an Indoor Trash Compactor, an Outdoor Trash Compactor, or possibly a combination of both. (Some of the answers to other questions and evaluations will help to decide this.) 

Determine whether there is any existing conditions that might eliminate the opportunity for either an outdoor trash  compactor or indoor trash compactor. Oftentimes space issues or conditions indoors may force you to focus on an outdoor trash compactor application, or possible space issues or conditions outdoors may force you to focus on an indoor trash compactor application.  For example, is there a clear and safe path for the hauler to an unobstructed area (free of overhead electrical lines etc) where pick-ups or 'waste tips' can be made.  And, is there enough space outdoors based on the footprint of the compactor (and detachable container, if applicable).  

Have you studied the footprints of the various types of compactors that you feel might work best (also adding a reasonable perimeter for service and basic operating area). By having a feel for the available operating area (including a small / reasonable buffer) this it will help to either include or exclude products that are not feasible to begin with.

Based on existing routines is the storage of trash creating fire hazards or any other unsafe or unsanitary conditions that may need to be addressed by the implementation of a trash compactor?

Are you on a month to month arrangement with your waste hauler (as is becoming more and more common.)

Is there any possibility that your company has the means and resources (either now or in the near future) to haul it's own trash to the landfill (which has recently become more and more popular).  Ideally this would be situations where there might be a county landfill nearby.

Does a large portion of your trash profile consist of recyclable materials that could be isolated fairly easily. If so, approximately what percentage of the trash profile consists of these recyclables. And of that 'recyclables percentage', what is the breakdown as far as cardboard, PET or HDPE plastics, waste paper etc.

Do you have a good breakdown of how you are currently being charged by your waste hauler? (i.e. how much per tip / pick-up, how much for equipment rentals, how much for landfill / tonnage charges.)

Be open with any fixed or maximum budgets you may have. If you have a fixed budget, it is oftentimes better to let the supplier know this up front before a lot of wasted time is spent on the wrong products.

Besides trash considerations are there other conditions that would be either eliminate or reduced by the use of compactors. For example, compactors can oftentimes help greatly with rodent / vermin control as well as odor problems.

 If you are leaning towards indoor compactors what types of material handling equipment do you have on hand to accommodate the transporting of compacted trash to the dumpster area or trash storage area.  And is that path to the dumpster area on level, hard surfaces that will not present any difficulties or unsafe conditions to those transporting the compacted trash.

Are you spending at least $700 - $800 per month in waste hauling charges. If not, your expected paybacks may not justify the purchase of a trash compactor. 

Again, this is basically just a sample of some of the various types of considerations that will help you communicate better with your Trash Compactor supplier. The better you are prepared with this type of information about your particular circumstances the greater the chance you will have of getting the right Trash Compactor for your business.