That's an excellent question that many city planners and business owners struggle with! For a truly busy urban sidewalk, you'll generally want to aim for a bin with a capacity between 40 to 60 gallons (approximately 150 to 230 liters). This size typically handles the waste generated in high-foot-traffic areas without needing constant emptying.
However, the exact capacity you need really depends on several key factors. First, consider the foot traffic volume. Is this a main shopping street with thousands of pedestrians daily, or a moderately busy residential corridor? Next, think about the surrounding environment. Areas near food courts, transit stops, or tourist attractions generate significantly more waste than standard office districts. The collection frequency also plays a crucial role—if your sanitation team can empty bins twice daily, you might manage with a smaller capacity than if collections only happen once per day.
A practical approach is to observe similar locations in your city. Notice if bins are consistently overflowing before collection times—this indicates insufficient capacity. Many cities are now implementing smart bin technology that can signal when they're nearly full, optimizing collection routes and preventing overflow.
Remember, proper capacity planning not only keeps your sidewalks cleaner but also reduces maintenance costs and improves public satisfaction with urban spaces.