Short answer: sometimes, but not as a universal rule. Many urban trash bins are designed with drainage holes, slots, or perforated bottoms so rainwater can escape instead of collecting inside. This is especially common on outdoor public bins in rainy cities, because standing water can make the bin heavier, create odors, speed up corrosion, and make collection messy. However, you should not assume every bin has them. Design varies a lot from one city to another and even from one model to another.
A typical street bin may have small holes drilled into the bottom, narrow drainage slots near the base, or a raised internal floor that lets water drain away from the waste. Some modern bins use a sloped lid, an overhanging hood, or a self-closing opening to keep rain out in the first place. Others have a removable inner liner or a drain plug that maintenance crews can open when needed.
That said, drainage holes are not always desirable. If the bin is used for food waste, hazardous materials, or anything that produces liquid leachate, holes can allow contaminated water to leak onto the sidewalk and create a mess. In those cases, cities may choose sealed containers instead. Drainage holes can also let odors escape, attract pests, or make plastic bags tear when liquids leak out. For that reason, some public bins are designed to be water-resistant rather than freely draining.
So, do urban trash bins come with drainage holes? Often they do, especially general-waste bins in wet climates, but the feature depends on the bin’s purpose, local procurement standards, and how the city handles maintenance. If you are checking a specific bin, look for small openings along the bottom edge, a raised base, or a removable sump. If you are specifying bins for a city or campus, ask the supplier directly whether the model is designed for outdoor rain exposure and how it manages standing water.