That's an excellent and very practical question! As someone who's observed municipal bins in parks and streets for years, I can give you a real-world perspective. The short answer is: yes, the colors on most standard plastic urban trash cans do fade noticeably over time when constantly exposed to sunlight, but the rate depends heavily on several factors.
From my experience, you'll see bins in direct, all-day sun fade much faster than those in shaded areas. The vibrant greens, blues, and grays common in cities often start to look washed out and chalky after a few years. This isn't just an aesthetic issue; severe fading can make recycling symbols or instructional labels hard to read.
The main culprit is UV radiation, which breaks down the pigments and the plastic polymer itself. However, not all bins are equal. Higher-quality containers made with UV-inhibited plastics and more stable pigments last significantly longer. Municipalities often specify these for long-term cost savings. You might notice that newer bins in your city are holding their color better than older models—this is likely why.
Simple maintenance can help. While you can't stop the process, keeping bins clean from abrasive dirt and occasionally applying a protectant (if allowed by local services) can slow fading. So, while fading is inevitable, smart material choices and care determine whether it happens in 2 years or 10.