That's a great and practical question! In most cities, public trash bins placed on streets, in parks, and at transit stations do come with liners. These are heavy-duty plastic bags installed and maintained by municipal sanitation workers or contracted cleaning services. The liners are essential for hygiene, as they contain liquids and food residue, making collection easier and preventing waste from sticking to the bin's interior.
So, you generally do not need to bring or buy your own liners for public bins. Your responsibility is simply to place your trash inside the bin. However, there are a few exceptions. Sometimes, especially after very busy events or due to maintenance delays, a bin might be full or its liner might be missing. In such cases, it's best to find another bin or hold onto your trash temporarily rather than placing it directly into the empty shell.
For your own home or business, the situation is different. You are responsible for purchasing liners for your personal trash and recycling bins. When using public bins, just remember to properly bag any particularly messy waste, like leftover food, before tossing it in. This simple act helps keep the public liners intact and makes the cleaner's job much easier. Thanks for being a conscientious citizen and asking!