That's an excellent and practical question for urban planning and public cleanliness. The average capacity for a standard, good-sized outdoor trash bin on a city sidewalk typically falls between 30 to 50 gallons (approximately 110 to 190 liters).
The most common size you'll see in many downtown areas is a 32-gallon (120-liter) bin. This size offers a good balance between capacity and practicality—it's large enough to handle a decent volume of waste from pedestrians without becoming too heavy or cumbersome for collection crews to empty frequently.
Several factors influence this choice:
* Foot Traffic: High-traffic areas like transit hubs or shopping districts often need larger bins (50 gallons or more) or more frequent collection.
* Collection Frequency: Cities often standardize bin sizes based on their collection truck schedules and crew capabilities.
* Animal Resistance: In areas with wildlife, bins may be slightly smaller and feature locking lids, which can reduce effective capacity.
* Recycling Streams: Many modern setups include separate compartments for trash and recycling, meaning the total bin volume is split.
Ultimately, the "right" size is less about a single number and more about matching capacity to the specific location's waste generation rate and collection logistics to prevent overflow and maintain a clean streetscape.