In my experience, yes—but only when you buy the right kind. A well-made urban trash can with a foot pedal can hold up well in public use because people don’t have to touch the lid, which keeps the bin cleaner and reduces the spread of germs. That’s a real advantage on busy streets, in parks, and at transit stops.
The catch is that public use is hard on moving parts. The pedal, hinge, and internal linkage take a lot of abuse, and cheap models often fail first. If the pedal feels flimsy, sticks, or has exposed springs and cables, it probably won’t last long outdoors. Weather matters too; rain, salt, and repeated cleaning can cause corrosion or jam the mechanism.
For public spaces, I’d look for commercial-grade foot pedal trash cans with a sturdy metal body, a sealed or protected pedal mechanism, and replacement parts you can actually order. Stainless steel or powder-coated steel usually performs better than thin plastic. Easy access for emptying and cleaning is also important, because maintenance crews won’t baby the bin.
So, do they hold up? Good-quality foot pedal bins do, especially with routine checks and quick repairs. Budget bins often don’t. If you’re choosing for a city or park, treat the pedal mechanism as the weak point and buy for durability and serviceability, not just looks.