That's a great question! The weight of an empty outdoor trash can varies a lot depending on its size, material, and design. For a typical large, heavy-duty residential can—like a 96-gallon wheeled cart—the empty weight is usually between 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kg). These are commonly used for municipal curbside pickup.
When we talk about truly large commercial or industrial bins, the weight increases significantly. An empty 2-yard metal dumpster can weigh around 250 pounds (113 kg), while a massive 8-yard roll-off dumpster can tip the scales at 1,500 pounds (680 kg) or more when empty, due to its thick steel construction.
The material is the biggest factor. Plastic carts are lighter, while galvanized steel or concrete-reinforced bins are extremely heavy for durability and security. So, "largest" is key here—for the biggest common outdoor containers, be prepared for several hundred to over a thousand pounds of empty weight. Always check the manufacturer's specs if you need to move or handle it.