That's an excellent and practical question! The short answer is yes, such bins do exist and are becoming more common, though they aren't the standard on every street corner yet. Let's break it down naturally.
You'll primarily find this feature in a few specific settings. First, some modern, higher-end public litter bins in very busy city centers, tourist areas, or parks now come with a built-in bag dispensing system. These aren't your average bins; they're often part of a "smart city" initiative. The bag roll is housed inside the unit, and a new liner advances automatically or manually after the old bag is removed. It's a huge time-saver for sanitation crews.
Second, you might encounter them in certain residential complexes or private managed spaces. Think upscale apartment building lobbies or corporate campuses. Here, the management often provides bins with pre-installed bags to maintain cleanliness and a uniform look.
However, the classic metal or concrete public bin on a standard sidewalk? Those typically rely on municipal workers manually inserting bags during their collection rounds. They rarely come with bags included from the factory.
The main benefits are clear: hygiene for users (no touching a bare bin), efficiency for workers, and less litter spillage. The downsides? Cost. These systems are more expensive to install and maintain, requiring regular refills of the proprietary bag rolls.
So, while not ubiquitous, the trend is growing. If you're a city planner or property manager looking to upgrade, options from companies like Bigbelly, Ecube Labs, or simple domestic brands like Simplehuman offer these solutions. For the average person, it's a pleasant surprise when you find one!