That's an excellent and practical question! The short answer is: it depends entirely on the design and purpose of the trash can. Modern public waste management has come a long way, and mobility is a key factor for efficient street cleaning.
Many outdoor trash cans, especially those in high-traffic urban areas or parks, are indeed designed to be moved. You'll commonly see models with sturdy built-in wheels or low-profile wheel bases. These allow sanitation workers to quickly roll them aside to sweep or power-wash the pavement underneath and behind them. This design is crucial for maintaining thorough cleanliness and preventing grime buildup.
However, not all bins are mobile. Some very large, stationary commercial dumpsters or heavily anchored bins in public squares are meant to stay in place. Their contents are simply lifted and emptied by specialized trucks.
For the movable types, features like heavy-duty rubber wheels, a balanced weight distribution, and robust handles make the process smooth. This design consideration significantly speeds up cleaning routines, reduces physical strain on workers, and ensures a cleaner public environment overall. So, while you can't move every trash can you see, a great many are specifically engineered with street cleaning efficiency in mind.