That's an excellent question! Many people don't realize how much sun exposure can damage their outdoor bins over time. Most quality outdoor trash cans today are manufactured with UV inhibitors or stabilizers mixed directly into the plastic resin during production. This built-in protection acts like sunscreen for your bin, significantly slowing down the fading and brittleness caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays.
You'll often find this feature listed as "UV-protected," "UV-resistant," or "sun-resistant" in product descriptions. It doesn't make the can completely fade-proof forever, but it greatly extends its life and appearance. Bins without this protection can become faded, dull, and surprisingly brittle in just one or two seasons of intense sun, leading to cracks and breaks.
To check if your current can has protection, look for any product labels or information from the manufacturer. A good rule of thumb is that darker, more vibrant colors tend to show fading less noticeably than lighter ones, even with protection. For maximum longevity, placing your cans in a shaded area or using a cover provides an extra layer of defense against relentless sun exposure.