That's an excellent and practical question! The weight of a standard, empty urban trash bin isn't a single number—it varies dramatically based on the bin's size, material, and design. Here’s a breakdown you can rely on.
A typical small curbside bin, the kind for household use, is usually made of heavy-duty plastic. An empty 35-gallon bin might weigh around 15-20 pounds (7-9 kg). The larger 65-gallon wheeled carts are heavier, often 40-50 pounds (18-23 kg) empty, due to more plastic and the wheel assembly.
For public spaces like parks or sidewalks, you'll see those iconic green or black metal mesh baskets. Empty, these can weigh between 30 and 60 pounds (14-27 kg), with the steel construction adding significant heft.
The real heavyweights are commercial and municipal containers. A standard empty 2-cubic-yard metal dumpster (common behind restaurants) can easily weigh 250-350 pounds (113-159 kg). Larger 6-8 cubic yard dumpsters often exceed 500 pounds (227 kg) empty. This substantial weight comes from thick, reinforced steel designed to handle compaction trucks and rough use.
So, while your kitchen trash can might be light, the bins servicing our cities are deceptively heavy even before they're filled, a testament to their durable construction.