That's a great question, and it's something municipalities think about a lot when choosing street furniture. The short answer is: modern colored urban trash bins are designed to be very durable, but their longevity depends heavily on the quality of materials and paint used.
Most high-quality municipal bins use a powder-coating process. This isn't like regular spray paint. The pigment is applied as a dry powder and then cured under heat, creating a hard, uniform finish that bonds to the metal or plastic. This type of coating is highly resistant to chipping, scratching, and, importantly, UV radiation from the sun. Premium bins often use UV-inhibited pigments specifically formulated to resist fading for many years.
You will still see some fading over an extended period—think 5 to 10 years of constant, harsh sunlight. However, the fade is usually very gradual and even. Lower-quality bins with standard paint or laminate films will show fading and wear much sooner, often within a couple of years, turning chalky or dull.
So, while no colored object is completely immune to the sun's effects, a well-made, powder-coated urban trash bin should maintain its vibrancy and appearance for a significant portion of its functional lifespan, making it a practical and aesthetic choice for cities. Regular cleaning helps maintain the finish by removing pollutants that can degrade the surface.