That's an excellent question, and one that city planners and property managers grapple with all the time. A trash can that gets knocked over is more than an eyesore—it creates litter, attracts pests, and adds to maintenance costs. The good news is, there are fantastic options that combine aesthetics with serious stability.
For a truly tip-proof design, you need to look for a few key features. First, low center of gravity and a wide, weighted base. Many modern "boulder" or "egg-shaped" designs are wider at the bottom and are often filled with a ballast like sand or concrete during installation. Second, consider anchor points. The most secure bins are bolted directly to a concrete pad or sidewalk using internal or hidden anchors. Third, material matters. Heavy-gauge galvanized steel or cast aluminum is durable and adds substantial heft.
My top recommendation for a blend of attractiveness and brute-force stability is a heavy-duty, low-profile, rectangular litter bin. These are often seen in upscale urban districts and parks. They have a large capacity, a sleek, modern look (often with optional custom color panels), and their wide, flat-bottomed design makes them incredibly difficult to lever over. Brands like "Bigbelly" (with their compacting solar models) or "Victor Stanley" offer excellent commercial-grade options in this category.
For a more classic look, a cast iron or cast aluminum "town square" style urn bin is a timeless choice. Their substantial weight and often-domed shape make them very stable. Pair them with a secure, locking metal lid to deter scavenging and you have a very robust solution.
In short, skip the lightweight, top-heavy designs. Invest in a bin that is inherently heavy, anchored from the inside, and has a footprint larger than its opening. Your clean sidewalks will thank you!