Short answer: yes, but usually only when they’re commercial-grade and properly maintained. A lot of foot-pedal bins fail in public not because the idea is bad, but because someone installed a lightweight office-style bin on a busy street. The pedal assembly is the first thing to go. In public use, people stomp, kick, and force the lid; kids play with it; cleaners may overfill bags; rain and grit get into the hinge. If the pivot is thin stamped metal and the pedal is plastic, it won’t last long.
A durable public bin usually has a cast or reinforced metal pedal, a protected hinge, a corrosion-resistant body, and a lid that closes firmly without slamming. Recessed pedals and replaceable parts help a lot. Maintenance matters too: check pivot screws, clear grit, lubricate moving points, replace damaged bags, and fix a sticky pedal before people force it. In low-traffic parks, a decent pedal bin can last years. In train stations, nightlife districts, or windy coastal streets, it needs a heavier spec, more frequent inspection, and a plan for vandalism. Plastic bodies can also crack or fade under UV, and cheap lids warp.
So I’d say foot-pedal bins do hold up in public use, but only if you treat them as public infrastructure, not office furniture. Buy commercial quality, choose the right model for traffic and weather, and budget for maintenance. If you can’t maintain them, a simpler open or push-flap bin may be the more honest choice.