That's a great question about a very practical aspect of city living! While specific rules can vary significantly from one municipality to another, most cities do have regulations governing the size, color, and type of containers used for curbside trash and recycling pickup. These rules are designed to ensure efficient, safe, and automated collection.
Regarding size, many cities specify a maximum capacity, often between 32 and 96 gallons, to prevent overfilling and worker injury. Some municipalities provide standardized bins to residents, while others approve specific brands or styles. Oversized or overweight bins are typically not collected.
For color, regulations are most common for recycling and organics (compost) programs to streamline sorting. A frequent standard is blue for mixed recyclables (paper, plastic, metal) and green for yard or food waste. General trash bins are often black, gray, or dark green. This color-coding helps collection crews and residents quickly identify the correct stream.
Other common rules include mandatory lids to control pests, placement requirements (handles facing the house, a certain distance from cars or mailboxes), and bans on prohibited items like hazardous waste. The best source for exact specifications is always your local public works or sanitation department's website, as their guidelines are tailored to local processing facilities and equipment.