Yes—cities do use trash cans designed to attach to light poles and existing street furniture, though they’re less common than freestanding bins. The most familiar types are pole-mounted litter bins, which use stainless-steel bands, clamps, or a custom bracket to wrap around a lamp post or sign pole. Some models are simple hoop-and-bag frames; others are enclosed metal or plastic bins with a small ashtray top. You’ll also see bins integrated into benches, bus shelters, pedestrian guardrails, and utility cabinets.
The appeal is practical: they save sidewalk space, put litter collection right where people wait or walk, and avoid adding more street clutter. Installation usually requires checking the pole’s diameter, material, and structural capacity. A bolt-on bracket may not be allowed on certain decorative or historic poles, and crews often prefer banding systems that don’t drill into the pole. Clearance matters too—the bin must not block signage, doors, tactile paving, or wheelchair routes.
Maintenance is the make-or-break issue. Smaller pole bins fill quickly, so they need frequent emptying, and the mounting system should allow one person to open, lift, or release the liner without tools. Cities also look for drainage holes, fire-resistant materials, and tamper-resistant latches. In snowy places, crews may remove pole bins in winter so plows can pass.
So if you’re specifying one, ask manufacturers about pole-mount kits, adjustable bands, custom brackets, and bench- or shelter-integrated options. They exist—but the right choice depends on the pole, the pedestrian flow, and the collection route.