That's a great question! As someone who's worked with municipal parks departments, I can tell you there isn't a single "one-size-fits-all" answer, but there's definitely a most common and practical choice. For general use along pathways and near benches in a city park, the 32 to 44-gallon (approximately 120 to 165-liter) capacity trash can is overwhelmingly the most popular size.
Here’s why this range hits the sweet spot: It's large enough to hold a substantial amount of waste from daily visitors without becoming overwhelmingly heavy for maintenance crews to empty. Cans in this size are also cost-effective, readily available from commercial suppliers, and their scale fits aesthetically in most park settings without being an eyesore.
However, placement is key. You'll often see larger, 55 to 95-gallon wheeled carts near high-traffic areas like picnic shelters, playgrounds, or parking lots. For small, decorative cans on walking paths, you might find 20-gallon sizes. The goal is to balance capacity with service frequency. An overflowing can is a nuisance, so the popular mid-size cans allow for efficient collection routes.
Ultimately, the most popular size is chosen for its practicality. It helps keep our parks clean, manageable for staff, and pleasant for everyone to enjoy. Many parks now use paired units—one for trash and one for recycling—in this same 32-44 gallon category to promote sustainability.