That's an excellent and very practical question. As someone who's observed municipal bins for years, I can tell you that yes, the black color on urban trash cans is generally more prone to noticeable fading in direct, prolonged sunlight compared to lighter colors. Here’s a natural, down-to-earth explanation of why.
The main culprit is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The pigments and dyes used to color plastics—which most modern trash cans are made from—absorb this UV energy. Darker colors, especially black, absorb more light across the entire spectrum, including more damaging UV rays. This extra absorbed energy accelerates the chemical breakdown of the colorants and the plastic polymer itself, leading to fading, chalkiness, and brittleness over time. You'll often see a black bin turn a dull, grayish shade.
However, it's not just about color. The material quality is crucial. A cheap, thin black plastic bin with poor UV stabilizers will fade and degrade rapidly. Many municipalities now use higher-grade, rotationally molded plastics with built-in UV inhibitors. These cans, even in black, are engineered to resist fading and withstand harsh weather for many years. The fading might still happen eventually, but at a much slower rate.
So, while black is theoretically more vulnerable, the actual fading you see depends heavily on the plastic's quality, the specific pigments used, and the local climate's intensity. A well-made black bin in a temperate city may outlast a flimsy light-colored one in a desert. Regular cleaning to remove abrasive grime can also help preserve the surface and color longer.