That's an excellent and very practical question. Yes, absolutely, many urban trash cans are designed to be bolted or otherwise anchored to the pavement, and it's a common practice in city management. The primary reasons are theft prevention and vandalism resistance. Lightweight, unsecured bins can be easily tipped over, dragged away, or even stolen for scrap metal. Anchoring them mitigates this.
The process typically involves using anchor bolts or concrete sleeves. The bin's base plate is positioned over pre-drilled holes in the concrete, and heavy-duty bolts are tightened down. It's crucial to use the correct hardware for the substrate (concrete vs. asphalt) and to ensure the installation doesn't damage underlying utilities.
This method enhances public safety by preventing bins from being blown or pushed into streets, maintains cleanliness by keeping receptacles in their designated spots, and provides long-term cost savings by reducing replacement needs. Most manufacturers of commercial-grade bins offer anchoring kits or built-in flange systems specifically for this purpose. So, if you're managing public space, bolting down bins is a highly recommended standard procedure.