That's an excellent and very practical question for urban planners and community managers. In areas with a high risk of vandalism, including arson, standard plastic bins are a major liability. The good news is, yes, there are specifically engineered fire-resistant and vandal-resistant materials used for municipal trash cans. The focus is on combining durability with fire safety.
The most common material is heavy-gauge galvanized steel, often in a perforated mesh design. The steel itself is non-combustible, and the mesh design prevents the buildup of flammable gases and makes it difficult to ignite contents inside. These are often coated with powder coatings that resist graffiti. Even more robust are stainless-steel bins, which offer superior corrosion resistance.
For maximum fire and impact resistance, concrete trash receptacles are sometimes used in very high-risk locations. While heavy and less versatile, they are virtually impervious to fire and extremely difficult to damage. Modern composites are also entering the market. These are typically molded from dense, mineral-filled polymers or composites that are self-extinguishing (meeting standards like UL 94 V-0) and can withstand significant impact and heat without sustaining structural damage or fueling a fire.
Key design features complement these materials: locking, tamper-proof lids to contain fires and prevent fueling; open-bottom designs or raised installations to prevent direct ground ignition; and the avoidance of internal plastic liners. The goal is to create a container that doesn't contribute fuel, contains small fires, and survives attempted damage, ultimately improving public safety and reducing long-term replacement costs for cities.