Yes, there are, and they are more common in cities than you might think. The key is to separate two ideas: how people put trash in, and how workers take it out. A bin can have a top opening for pedestrians but still be serviced from the front. In public spaces, that usually means a front-access litter bin. It has a locked front door or swing panel. A worker unlocks it, pulls out an inner liner or wheeled bin, empties the bag, and slides it back. This design keeps the top lid closed, reduces lifting over the rim, and helps prevent spills, odors, and injuries.
Municipalities choose front-access bins for sidewalks, parks, transit stops, stadiums, and business districts because they are faster to service. Some models combine trash and recycling in separate front compartments. Others are solar-powered compactors with front doors, so one bin holds more waste before collection. You will also see semi-underground containers that are emptied from the front or side, depending on the truck.
If you mean larger dumpsters, front emptying is standard. Front-load dumpsters are designed for front-load collection trucks. The truck has forks that slide into pockets on the front of the container. Then it lifts the dumpster over the cab and tips it into the truck body. These containers sit behind restaurants, apartments, offices, and retail strips. They are not usually the small sidewalk bins pedestrians use, but they are very much urban waste containers emptied from the front.
Not every city trash can works this way. Many basic street bins are top-loaded and top-serviced: a worker lifts the lid or removes the whole top and pulls out a bag. Some are side-loaded by automated trucks. So the answer is not yes for every bin, but yes, front-empty designs exist and are widely available. If you are specifying one for a city, look for terms like front-access litter bin, front-loading trash can, front-service container, or front-load dumpster. Check the door clearance, liner size, lock type, and whether your collection truck is actually equipped for front service.
Short version: yes. Urban trash cans can be emptied from the front, either through a front-access door for smaller public bins or by a front-loading truck for large dumpsters. It just depends on the bin design and the city’s collection equipment.