Short answer: yes, but not automatically. In practice, bilingual labels on urban trash cans can improve recycling rates because they make sorting instructions more accessible to people who speak different languages. In multilingual cities, that matters. A clear label in two common languages can reduce confusion, especially when it is paired with simple icons and color-coded bins. People often make the recycling decision at the bin in just a few seconds, so anything that makes the right choice easier can help.
That said, bilingual labels are not a magic fix. They work best when the wording is short, the visuals are obvious, and the rules match what the city actually accepts. If the label is crowded, too small, inconsistent from one neighborhood to the next, or uses terms residents do not recognize, it may create more confusion rather than less. Labels also fail when the bin itself is poorly designed, overflowing, or placed where people are rushing past.
The strongest results usually come when bilingual signs are part of a wider system: consistent bin colors, real examples of accepted items, feedback when contamination is high, and outreach through schools, community groups, and local media. Bilingual labels can also send a useful signal that the city is trying to include everyone, which may build trust and improve participation.
So my answer is yes—but modestly and conditionally. Bilingual labels on urban trash cans can improve recycling rates when they are clear, visual, consistent, and supported by good bin design and public education. They are most effective as one part of a well-designed recycling system, not as a standalone solution. Cities that want measurable improvement should test labels in a few areas, track contamination and capture rates, and refine the wording and visuals based on what residents actually get wrong.