That's an excellent and very practical question. The short answer is: generally, yes, most public urban trash cans are specifically designed to be easily emptied by municipal sanitation trucks. This compatibility is a fundamental part of urban planning and public works.
The key lies in standardization. Cities typically adopt specific bin designs—like the common 2-wheeled, lidded containers with metal bars on the sides. These bars are not just for durability; they are precisely spaced lifting points. Sanitation trucks are equipped with automated arms or lifters that grab these bars, hoist the bin, and empty its contents into the truck's compactor body. This system is highly efficient, allowing one operator to service many bins quickly.
However, there are nuances. In historic districts or parks, you might see more decorative or antique-style bins. These often have a removable inner liner or bag. The sanitation crew manually removes this inner bag, leaving the outer shell in place. Some newer "smart" solar-compactor bins hold much more waste but still require a specialized truck or a key to open a large hatch for emptying.
So, while the standard process is highly mechanized and seamless, compatibility depends on the specific bin and truck technology deployed by your city's sanitation department. The overarching goal is always to streamline collection, reduce labor, and maintain clean streets.