That's a great and very specific question! It shows you're thinking about the real impact of our everyday items. The honest answer is: it depends entirely on the specific bin and the purchasing policies of the city or municipality.
Many modern urban trash and recycling bins are indeed made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, often high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. This creates a wonderful "closed-loop" system where plastic bottles and containers are collected, processed, and reborn as durable public infrastructure. Using PCR content reduces virgin plastic use, lowers carbon footprint, and gives waste a new, long-lasting purpose.
However, not all bins are created equal. Factors like budget, supplier contracts, and durability requirements for high-traffic areas can lead some cities to choose bins made from virgin materials or pre-consumer (industrial) recycled content. The best way to know for sure is to check the manufacturer's specifications or contact your local public works department. Many are proud to advertise their sustainable procurement and will have details on the recycled content of their street furniture.
So, while it's a growing and encouraging trend, the presence of PCR content in a given bin isn't a universal guarantee—but it's certainly the right question to ask!