That's an excellent question I hear often from city maintenance crews and business owners. The short answer is: most modern urban trash bins are absolutely designed to withstand power washing, but with important caveats.
From my experience working with public works departments, commercially-used outdoor bins—typically made from heavy-duty polyethylene, powder-coated steel, or stainless steel—are built for this. Municipalities specifically order bins rated for high-pressure cleaning. The key is using the correct pressure (usually under 2000 PSI), a wide-angle nozzle, and maintaining a safe distance to avoid damaging decals or forcing water into hinge mechanisms.
However, not all bins are equal. Older, thin-walled residential-style bins might crack. The real concern isn't the water pressure itself, but the heat from some commercial hot-water washers, which can warp plastic. Best practice is to use ambient-temperature water and a disinfectant cleaner. Proper drainage is also crucial; bins must be elevated so wastewater doesn't pool inside.
So yes, power washing is the standard for efficient, sanitary cleaning. Just match your equipment to the bin's construction. A well-maintained bin lasts years longer, making this a smart practice for any urban sanitation program.