Honestly, I’d start by treating it as a moisture-and-cleaning problem, not just a “bad bin” problem. Urine smell in subway stations usually comes from small amounts of urine getting into seams, under the liner, around the base, or onto the floor near the bin. Once that dries and bacteria go to work, the smell keeps coming back even after the bag is changed.
So the first fix is frequency. Empty the bins more often during peak hours, use strong liners that don’t tear, and put an absorbent pad or liner at the bottom so leaks don’t sit in the bin. Then clean the bin itself, not just the bag. I’d use an enzymatic cleaner because it breaks down urine residue instead of just masking it. Avoid mixing bleach with ammonia-based urine residue; that can create irritating fumes. After cleaning, rinse and dry the bin completely. Moisture is what keeps the odor alive.
The surrounding area matters just as much. Wash and dry the floor around the bin, clean the walls and base, and check for urine trails or puddles. If possible, steam-clean or pressure-wash the bin and the floor on a regular schedule. Bins with smooth, non-porous surfaces, rounded corners, removable inner buckets, and sealed bottoms are much easier to keep fresh. If the bin is old, scratched, or cracked, replace it; those scratches hold odor.
Placement also helps. Don’t tuck bins into dark corners where people might urinate. Keep them visible, well-lit, and near staff or cameras, and make sure there’s good airflow. In some stations, the real solution is pairing better bin maintenance with public toilet access, signage, and anti-urination design nearby.
Finally, make it a routine: empty, clean, disinfect, dry, inspect, and log it. A quick daily check plus a deeper weekly clean usually beats trying to cover the smell with air freshener. If you fix the source, dry the surfaces, and clean the residue properly, the bin stops smelling like urine.