Short answer: most urban trash bins do not need a special liner. Standard heavy-duty trash bags are usually enough for public street bins, park bins, and apartment or office waste containers. What matters more is that the liner fits well, resists tears, and matches how the bin is emptied and cleaned.
That said, “special” depends on the bin and the waste stream. A city may require clear bags for recycling, certified compostable liners for food waste, or heavy-duty black bags for general waste. Some public bins are designed to be used without liners at all, and crews wash them out instead. Others use custom-sized liners because the bin has a specific shape or an automatic compaction system. If a liner is too thin, it can split during collection. If it is too thick or oversized, it may jam the mechanism or get caught when the bin is lifted.
For ordinary urban trash bins, choose a liner that is leak-resistant, strong enough for the expected waste, and correctly sized. Avoid scented or very thin bags outdoors if they tear easily. In recycling bins, avoid black bags if your city’s sorting facility cannot see through them, and never put recyclables in a bag unless local rules allow it. For compost bins, use only liners approved by the program, because ordinary plastic bags contaminate compost.
So the practical answer is no: urban trash bins do not generally need special liners, but they do need the right liner for the job. Check your city’s waste guidelines, the bin manufacturer’s recommendations, and the collection crew’s requirements. If you manage public bins, test a few heavy-duty options, confirm they fit, and ask whether liners are required or whether the bins are washed instead. That will save money and prevent messes better than buying a “special” liner without a clear reason.