Absolutely—yes, you can. Custom openings are actually one of the most useful upgrades you can request for urban trash cans, especially when you need to guide people to separate general waste, recyclables, paper, glass, cans, or organics correctly. Most experienced manufacturers can produce different opening shapes, sizes, and configurations on the same bin body or across a matching bin family. For example, a round opening can work well for bottles and cans, a narrow slot can encourage paper or cardboard, a larger hooded opening can suit mixed recyclables or bagged waste, and a smaller restricted opening can help reduce contamination in a specific waste stream. You can also combine compartments in one unit, each with its own opening, color, icon, and label so users can sort waste quickly without confusion.
When you place the order, be ready to explain the waste types, expected daily volume, bag or liner size, collection method, and where the bins will be installed. Public spaces, sidewalks, parks, campuses, and transit stops may have different requirements for accessibility, fire safety, drainage, locking, and cleaning. Common materials include powder-coated steel, stainless steel, and heavy-duty plastic, and the opening edges should be deburred or rounded for safety. Custom colors, bilingual labels, embossed icons, and lid graphics are usually available, but they may affect minimum order quantity, tooling, and lead time.
A good supplier will ask for drawings or reference photos and can recommend opening dimensions based on the waste stream. Before mass production, request a sample or a pre-production drawing to confirm the opening size, placement, and label layout. Ask about minimum order quantity, sample cost, production lead time, packaging, warranty, and whether replacement parts such as locks, liners, or lids are available. If you need to meet local waste-sorting rules or public procurement standards, share those requirements early so the factory can confirm compliance. In short, custom openings for different waste types are very doable—just define the waste streams clearly, confirm the opening design and labeling, and approve a sample before you commit to the full order.