Yes, but not usually in the form of an ordinary sidewalk trash can. What you’re more likely to find are smart recycling bins or reverse vending machines that accept bottles and cans, then issue coupons, points, or small rewards. These systems often appear in pilot programs run by city waste departments, universities, shopping centers, or supermarkets rather than on every street corner.
A typical setup works like this: you scan a QR code or use an app, deposit accepted recyclables into the bin, and the machine weighs or counts them. The rewards might be a discount at a local café, a transit credit, a grocery voucher, or points that can be redeemed later. Some reverse vending machines print a coupon directly; others send it to your phone.
The idea is growing, but it’s still far from standard urban infrastructure. Cities have to deal with upfront costs, maintenance, contamination, and privacy concerns, and the coupons need to be attractive enough to change behavior. So if you’re looking for one, start with your local waste-management website, university sustainability office, recycling app, or retailer pilot programs. You may not find a coupon-giving bin on every block, but they do exist in selected cities and campuses.