That's an excellent question that urban planners and city maintenance departments grapple with constantly. The ideal color for a public trash can needs to perform two seemingly contradictory jobs: be noticeable enough for people to find it, yet subtle enough to not look instantly filthy.
After much consideration and observation of successful city programs, the answer often lands on a deep, muted sage green or a dark charcoal gray.
Here's the reasoning: These darker, earthy tones are fantastic at hiding the inevitable scuffs, smudges, and light grime that accumulate on any public fixture. A pure white or beige bin shows every single mark, making a city look dirty even if the bins are emptied regularly.
But what about visibility? This is where placement and a small dash of contrast come in. While the main body of the bin is a dirt-forgiving dark color, the lid, a foot-pedal, or a small signage panel can be painted in a high-visibility color like international orange or bright yellow. This creates a "pop" of color that catches the eye from a distance without sacrificing the overall clean appearance.
Other strong contenders are dark brown and deep navy blue. They follow the same principle. You'll notice that colors like pure black can get too hot in the sun, potentially accelerating smells, and very bright colors like red or yellow show dirt and fading very quickly.
So, the winning strategy is a two-tone approach: a muted, dark main color for the body to hide dirt, paired with a small, bright accent to ensure it's seen. It’s the perfect compromise for a cleaner-looking cityscape.