Yes, they definitely do. If you walk through a city for a while, you’ll notice that public trash cans are not all cylindrical. Cylinders are popular because they are simple to make, easy to empty, and less likely to have sharp corners, but many cities choose other shapes for practical and visual reasons.
Square and rectangular bins are common because they fit neatly against walls, benches, and fences, and they can use space more efficiently on narrow sidewalks. Some bins are wedge-shaped or angled to sit in corners or beside bus stops. In busy areas, you’ll often see multi-compartment bins with separate openings for general waste and recycling; these may be rectangular, modular, or designed as part of a larger street-furniture unit.
Others are shaped to solve specific problems. Enclosed or domed bins can keep rain out and reduce pests. Tall, narrow bins work well in crowded pedestrian zones. Solar-powered compacting bins are often boxy and high-tech. In tourist areas or parks, trash cans may look like logs, stones, animals, or public art, so they blend into the setting rather than looking like standard bins.
The shape usually depends on capacity, collection method, location, durability, accessibility, and local design rules. A city may also use custom shapes to make bins easier to find, discourage littering, or match the character of a neighborhood. So, while cylindrical bins are still everywhere, urban trash cans come in a wide range of shapes—and that variety is often intentional.