Short answer: yes, you can chain urban trash bins together, but I wouldn’t treat that as a complete solution. It can stop a lightweight bin from tumbling down the street in a gust, but chains create their own problems. A chained pair or row of bins may stay put in moderate wind, yet if one bin tips over, it can pull the others down with it. Chains also create trip hazards, make it harder for people to access bins, and can interfere with collection crews. In some places, attaching bins to each other or to public fixtures may even conflict with local rules or the waste hauler’s requirements.
If the goal is to prevent bins blowing away, I’d first look at better fixes: heavier weighted bases, locking wheels, lid latches, wind-resistant waste bins, and placing bins out of wind tunnels between buildings. Regular emptying also helps, because a full bin is usually more stable than an empty one. During storm warnings, moving bins to a sheltered spot or securing them with approved anchors is often smarter than linking them together.
That said, chaining can work as a backup if it’s done carefully. I’d anchor each bin separately to a fixed point rather than only chaining bins to one another. Use short, high-visibility tethers or chains with quick-release clips, keep them out of walkways, and make sure collection staff can unhook them fast. Check bin safety, inspect for wear, and coordinate with the local waste department before making changes.
So, can urban trash bins be chained together? Yes, but it should be part of a broader wind-control plan, not the only answer. The best approach is to combine sensible placement, good bin design, secure bases, and, where allowed, carefully designed anchoring that keeps streets safe and collection practical.