That's an excellent and very relevant question. In my experience observing and researching urban design trends, I would say it is becoming increasingly common, moving from a novel feature to a standard expectation in many forward-thinking cities. The simple answer is yes, but the reasoning behind it is what's truly important.
A few years ago, a dedicated slot for bottles or cans on a public trash bin was a rarity. Today, you'll frequently see this feature in downtown cores, parks, transit stations, and university campuses. The shift is driven by a clear need: to make recycling as easy as throwing something away. When people have to hold onto a plastic bottle or aluminum can to find a separate recycling bin blocks away, "wish-cycling" into the general waste or, worse, littering becomes more likely.
The design logic is sound. These integrated units, often called "combo bins" or "multi-stream receptacles," typically feature a distinct circular or oval opening specifically shaped for bottles and cans, alongside an opening for general waste. This physical separation at the point of disposal is a crucial step in reducing contamination in the recycling stream and increasing capture rates for valuable materials.
However, "common" doesn't mean universal. Adoption varies greatly by municipality, depending on budget, waste management contracts, and public policy goals. The initial cost is higher than a single-bin unit, and it requires a collection system that separately handles the two streams. But the long-term benefits for sustainability goals and reducing landfill waste are significant motivators for its spread.
So, while you might not find a recycling slot on every single trash can in a city yet, it is undoubtedly a dominant and growing trend in modern urban trash can design. It represents a practical move towards designing our public spaces to actively support sustainable behavior, making the right choice the easy choice for everyone.