Yes—most urban trash bins can be pressure-washed without damaging the finish, but only if you treat it as a controlled cleaning job rather than a blasting job. The finish on a municipal bin is usually powder-coated steel, painted metal, galvanized steel, or tough plastic. Each of those can handle some water pressure, but they can also be chipped, dulled, or forced open at seams if the nozzle is too aggressive. I’d always test a small hidden area first, especially on older bins where the coating may already be thin or cracked.
The safest approach is low pressure with a wide fan nozzle. Keep the nozzle far enough away—roughly 12 to 18 inches—and keep it moving. High pressure held in one spot can cut into powder coating, lift paint edges, or push water into hinges, locks, vents, and seams. Use a mild detergent or a dedicated bin-cleaning product, let it dwell for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid harsh caustic degreasers on powder-coated or painted surfaces, and don’t use hot water on plastic bins unless the manufacturer says it’s safe.
I’d also watch the weak points: decals, rubber wheels, lid gaskets, hinges, and any repaired areas. If the finish is already chipped, pressure washing can make it worse, so a soft brush and gentle rinse may be the better choice. In busy urban settings, contain the runoff and clean during low-traffic hours. When done carefully, pressure washing trash bins is a fast, effective way to improve hygiene and appearance without ruining the finish—but the key is low pressure, good distance, and a quick pre-test.