That's an excellent and very practical question. Yes, absolutely. Locking lid trash cans are a growing and essential feature in modern urban waste management. They are specifically designed to address the very issue you mentioned: preventing littering and its related problems.
The primary mechanism is a sturdy, often spring-loaded or latch-based lid that requires a user to press a foot pedal or use a hand to open it. Once released, it closes automatically. This simple design has several powerful benefits for city environments. First, it contains odors and deters pests like rodents, birds, and insects from scavenging, which is a major source of scattered waste. Second, it prevents wind from blowing lightweight trash out of the bin. Third, it can discourage improper disposal of oversized bags or household waste by making casual dumping more difficult.
You'll commonly find these bins in high-traffic areas where litter control is critical: downtown sidewalks, public parks, transit stations, outside restaurants, and near residential complexes. They are typically constructed from heavy-duty, vandal-resistant materials like coated steel or dense plastic to withstand public use. For businesses, models with integrated ash trays or specialized openings for recycling are popular.
While they require a slight extra effort from the user, the community payoff is significant—cleaner sidewalks, reduced maintenance costs, and a more pleasant public environment. So, to directly answer your question, not only do they exist, but they are a proven and effective tool in the ongoing effort to keep our cities clean.