A trash receptacle compaction system for compacting trash, a trash receptacle of the system having upstanding front, side and back panels, a closed bottom, and a lid. The system further includes a drivable satellite vehicle having a power unit which is operably connectable between the front panel and a compaction ram of the trash receptacle. The separate compaction ram is positioned within the receptacle for slidable movement between the forwardly front panel and the rearwardly rear panel, the compaction ram being driven by the power unit to compact the trash within the receptacle after the satellite vehicle is driven to and properly aligned with the trash receptacle. These trash compaction cycles minimize the frequency of trash receptacle emptying required.