That's an excellent and surprisingly common question! The weight of a standard, empty steel urban trash bin isn't something we often think about until we have to move one. While the exact weight can vary based on design and gauge of steel, a typical empty steel trash bin you'd see on a city sidewalk, with a capacity of around 40-50 gallons, generally weighs between 25 and 40 pounds (11 to 18 kilograms).
This weight comes from the durable, galvanized steel used to withstand harsh weather, constant use, and potential abuse. Heavier-gauge steel bins, designed for high-traffic areas, will be on the upper end of that range. Smaller bins might be lighter, while larger, wheeled models for commercial use can be significantly heavier, sometimes over 60 pounds when empty. So next time you pass one, you'll know that sturdy piece of urban furniture has some substantial heft to it even before it's filled with waste.