That's an excellent question that touches on something we see every day but rarely stop to consider. The average capacity for a standard public outdoor trash bin you'd find on a city street or in a park typically falls between 20 and 55 gallons (approximately 75 to 208 liters).
You'll notice some variation based on location and purpose. In high-traffic urban areas or popular parks, you're more likely to encounter larger bins, often around 35 to 55 gallons, to handle greater volumes of waste. These are designed to be emptied by automated truck lifts. Quieter residential streets or pathways might have smaller, 20 to 32-gallon models.
It's also common to see multi-unit stations that pair a standard trash bin with an equally sized recycling bin, promoting waste separation. The design isn't just about volume; factors like durability, animal resistance, and ease of collection are all crucial in determining the final size and shape of these essential public fixtures. So, while there's a standard range, the exact size is ultimately tailored to its specific environment and expected use.