Not necessarily—but rainy climates definitely put urban trash bins under more pressure. The real answer comes down to what the bin is made of, how well it’s coated, where it sits, and how often it’s checked.
Plain steel or lower-grade metal bins can rust fairly quickly if rain sits on them, especially around scratches, dents, seams, and the bottom rim. Once the protective coating is broken, moisture and oxygen get to the metal, and rust starts. Bins that sit in puddles or near clogged drains are the worst because the base stays wet for long periods. Coastal rainy cities can be even tougher because salt in the air speeds up corrosion.
That doesn’t mean every urban bin turns rusty. Galvanized steel is common because the zinc layer helps resist moisture, and powder-coated metal bins can hold up well if the coating stays intact. Stainless steel resists rust much better, though it isn’t completely immune in harsh conditions. Plastic bins won’t rust at all, but they can crack or fade, and their metal fittings may still corrode.
In practice, maintenance matters a lot. Good drainage holes, raised bases, quick repairs to scratches, regular cleaning, and replacing damaged bins all make a difference. If a city chooses the right material and keeps up with upkeep, rainy weather doesn’t have to mean rusty bins. If it uses cheap uncoated metal and lets water pool, though, rust is almost guaranteed.