Yes—generally you can, but it depends on what you mean by “urban trash cans” and who owns them. If you’re thinking of the city’s public litter bins, you usually can’t just rent them like party equipment. Instead, you’d contact your city’s public works, sanitation, or special events office and ask whether they offer temporary event bins, extra pickup service, or permission to place additional receptacles. Some cities will provide or loan municipal cans for permitted events, while others require you to use a licensed private waste hauler.
If the city doesn’t rent individual trash cans, a private event waste company can usually supply wheeled carts, temporary bins, recycling containers, or even roll-off dumpsters for a one-day street festival. Ask about delivery and pickup times, bag liners, lids, accessibility, placement rules, and whether collection is included during or after the event. You’ll also want to confirm permits, insurance, deposits, and any rules about blocking fire lanes, sidewalks, storm drains, or vendor access.
For a one-day festival, don’t underestimate capacity. Food vendors, drink cups, and packaging add up fast, so plan for enough bins, clear signage, and a mid-event or end-of-day collection. My advice is to call the city first, then get a quote from a private vendor as a backup. That way you’ll know exactly what you’re allowed to rent, where the bins can go, and who is responsible for emptying them. With a little planning, renting urban trash cans or event waste bins for a one-day street festival is very doable.