That's an excellent and practical question! In most cities, standard public trash cans—the ones you see on sidewalks, in parks, or at transit stops—are typically equipped with liners by municipal maintenance crews. These liners are part of the city's sanitation protocol to facilitate easier, cleaner, and more hygienic waste collection. The liners are usually heavy-duty plastic bags supplied and managed by the public works department.
However, the answer can depend on the specific location and system. For example, a large, stationary bin in a park likely has a liner provided. A smaller can on a residential street might also be serviced with liners by the collection team. As a general rule, for *publicly maintained* bins, you do not need to provide your own liner when disposing of personal waste.
The separate sourcing usually applies to *private* use. If you are responsible for a trash can at a community event, a small business front, or a personal can in a shared building hallway, you would likely need to source appropriate liners yourself. It's always a good idea to check local municipal guidelines or observe if bags are visibly used in your area's public cans. The system is designed for public convenience, so you can simply focus on proper disposal.