That's a great question, and a common headache for cities and property managers. A bin constantly knocked over is messy, unsafe, and increases maintenance costs. The "best" method depends on your specific situation—whether you own the spot or it's public right-of-way, and your budget.
For a permanent, high-security solution, concrete anchoring is the gold standard. You'll need a bin with a pre-fabricated base or anchor flanges. Drill holes into the concrete pavement, insert heavy-duty steel anchor bolts or chemical anchors, and bolt the bin down. This is virtually impossible to defeat without power tools. Check with local authorities before doing this on public sidewalks.
If drilling isn't allowed or you need flexibility, a weighted base is excellent. You can purchase commercial bins with hollow bases you fill with sand or water. For existing bins, create a concrete pad with an embedded anchor loop to which you can chain the bin. This adds significant mass to resist wind.
For a simpler, low-cost fix, use anti-tip straps or ground anchors. Heavy-duty ratchet straps or galvanized steel cables can secure the bin to a fixed object like a fence post or a dedicated ground anchor screwed into soil or asphalt. This deters casual tipping but may not stop determined vandals with cable cutters.
Strategic placement also helps. Position bins in sheltered alcoves, behind walls, or grouped together to break the wind. For vandalism, place them in well-lit, high-visibility areas, ideally under camera coverage. Using durable, heavy-gauge steel bins with tight-fitting, locking lids also makes them less tempting targets.
Ultimately, combining methods works best: a weighted bin, strapped to a fixed anchor, placed in a sheltered but visible location. Start with the simplest, most permissible solution for your area and escalate as needed. A securely anchored bin is cleaner, safer, and far less costly in the long run.