That's an excellent and very practical question for urban living. Having dealt with this exact issue in city planning, I can break down the pros and cons to help you decide.
For a truly narrow city street, a wall-mounted trash can is often the superior choice. Here’s why: It literally saves critical floor space. By lifting the bin off the sidewalk, you keep the pedestrian pathway clear, which is crucial for accessibility, high foot traffic, and preventing clutter. It also tends to be more resistant to pests like rodents, as it's harder to knock over and access. Vandalism can be slightly less frequent, and it presents a cleaner, more streamlined look.
However, freestanding bins have their place. Their major advantage is flexibility. They can be placed exactly where needed, moved for street cleaning or events, and are generally easier to service and empty. They also typically have a larger capacity. The big downside in a narrow space is that they eat into the walkable area and can become obstacles.
My verdict? Prioritize wall-mounted bins in most narrow street scenarios. The space-saving benefit is usually the deciding factor for safety and flow. If you must use a freestanding model, opt for a slim, tall, and heavy-based design that can be anchored close to a building wall or in a designated corner. Always consider local waste collection methods—if trucks use mechanical lifters, a compatible freestanding model might be mandatory.
Ultimately, the "better" option depends on your specific street's width, traffic patterns, and maintenance capabilities. But when in doubt, going vertical with a wall-mounted unit is a smart, space-efficient solution for modern urban challenges.