That's an excellent and very practical question! In most cities, public trash bins placed on streets, in parks, and at transit stops do not come with pre-inserted plastic bags for public use. You are expected to dispose of your personal small waste items directly into the bin. The bags you see inside are typically installed and maintained by municipal sanitation workers during scheduled collection and cleaning rounds. These heavy-duty bags are part of the city's operational system.
For your home or apartment, the situation is different. You are responsible for supplying your own trash bags for your personal bins. Some municipalities or building managements may specify certain types of bags, especially for coordinated waste collection programs. It's always a good idea to check local guidelines.
So, for public bins: no, don't expect a bag. For your private bin: yes, you need to purchase bags separately. Always try to minimize waste and ensure your trash lands securely inside the bin to help keep our cities clean!