That's a great question about city infrastructure! The number of bags a standard urban trash bin holds depends on several factors. Most common public litter bins you see on sidewalks typically have a capacity between 30 to 50 gallons (approximately 115 to 190 liters). In practical terms, this means they can usually hold about 2 to 4 standard-sized 13-gallon trash bags when emptied by sanitation crews, though they're often filled loosely with individual pieces of litter.
Larger municipal bins in parks or high-traffic areas might be 60-90 gallons, accommodating 4-6 bags. The actual number varies based on bag thickness, compaction, and waste type. Cities often use this capacity data to optimize collection routes. So while there's no single universal number, the 2-4 bag range for standard sidewalk bins is a reliable guideline for understanding urban waste management scale.