Yes—generally they can, but it is not as simple as putting an old bin into the recycling truck. Most urban trash bins are made from steel, aluminum, or high-density polyethylene, and those materials are recyclable. Metal bins are usually the easiest to recover because scrap metal recycling is well established. Plastic bins can also be recycled, but the outcome depends on the resin type, condition, and whether the bin is a single material or a mix of plastic, metal axles, wheels, and lids.
The biggest barriers are contamination and mixed construction. Bins that have held food waste, liquids, or hazardous materials may need cleaning before a recycler will accept them. Bins with metal frames, rubber wheels, or composite parts often need disassembly first. Some local authorities refurbish damaged bins instead of recycling them, while others send old bins to specialist processors that shred and sort the material.
If you are asking from a household or business perspective, contact your local waste department or bin supplier and ask about their end-of-life take-back scheme. If you manage a municipal fleet, specify mono-material, easily dismantled bins when buying new ones, keep maintenance records, and work with a recycler that can handle bulky plastic or metal waste. In practice, many old urban bins are recycled into scrap metal or plastic lumber—not necessarily into new bins. So the short answer is yes, they can be recycled, but a practical plan, clean material streams, and the right contractor make the difference.