I’d start by figuring out exactly what kind of trash can you have, because urban cans are usually bought through a municipal or commercial contract rather than sold like a standard household bin. Look for a brand name, model number, capacity, or part number stamped on the body, lid, or frame. If the can is city-owned, contact your local public works, sanitation, parks, or facilities maintenance department first. They often have spare lids, wheels, hinge pins, or lift bars in storage, or they can tell you which approved vendor supplies the units. If the can is on private property, such as outside an apartment building or business, contact the manufacturer or a commercial janitorial and waste-equipment dealer.
Before you call, take clear photos of the whole can and the broken part, and measure anything that has to fit: lid diameter, wheel size, axle diameter, hinge-pin length, mounting-hole spacing, and the distance between the lift pockets if it is an automated bin. Send those details to the supplier and ask for the exact compatible part number, not just a “universal” replacement. A lot of frustration comes from buying a lid or wheel that looks close but does not fit the axle or hinge.
Also ask about warranty. Better-quality municipal bins often have multi-year warranties on bodies, lids, and wheels, and a failure after a few years may still be covered. If the model is discontinued, ask whether the manufacturer has a retrofit kit or a current replacement model with the same footprint and lift configuration. Local surplus yards, municipal auctions, and repair shops sometimes keep used parts from retired cans, which can be a practical option when a small plastic hinge or specialty wheel is no longer made.
For common wear items—lids, wheels, casters, hinge pins, handles, and lift bars—a commercial waste-container supplier is usually your best bet. Order through the city’s approved vendor if procurement rules apply, and confirm lead times before you pay. If parts are obsolete and the can is cracked or unsafe, replacing the unit may be cheaper than chasing rare parts. The key is to identify the model, document the part, and buy through the manufacturer, public works, or an approved commercial supplier rather than guessing.