Trash compactors in NYC apartment buildings are in the basement. They are accessed by building staff who empty it for curbside trash removal. The only other way in to one of these large contraptions is down the chute.
I once had a place in a high rise on the 35th floor. One day when I was dropping my trash down the chute, I still had my keys in hand. Dropped my keys too. Had to go down to the garbage room and dig through the dumpster to find my keys.
Stupid stuff happens.