For a busy downtown corner, I’d usually start with a 40–50 gallon (about 150–190 liter) covered trash bin. That size handles steady pedestrian traffic without becoming a huge eyesore or a place where people dump household waste. If the corner is really busy—near transit stops, coffee shops, or event venues—a paired station with two 35–40 gallon bins for trash and recycling often makes more sense than one giant container.
The key is pickup frequency. If the bin can be emptied daily, 40–50 gallons is usually plenty. If service is less frequent, or if weekends are especially heavy, you may need 60–80 gallons per station. I’d avoid going much larger unless you have a reliable collection schedule and a maintenance plan, because oversized bins can overflow anyway if they’re not serviced and can become unpleasant fast.
Also think about the footprint and the user experience. The opening should be easy to use, the lid should keep rain and pests out, and the bin should be anchored but still accessible for crews. Leave enough clearance on the sidewalk, and don’t place it so close to the corner that it blocks sight lines or pedestrian flow. In most downtown settings, a well-serviced 40–50 gallon bin, or a two-bin 35–40 gallon station, is the practical sweet spot. Start there, watch how full it gets for a couple of weeks, and adjust the size or pickup schedule based on real use rather than guesswork.