That's a really practical question! Yes, outdoor trash bins can definitely be chained together or secured to fixed objects to deter theft, and it's a common practice in many residential and commercial settings. The effectiveness depends on your specific bins and situation.
For personal use with standard curbside bins, you can use a heavy-duty chain and padlock to connect multiple bins together or to a sturdy post, fence, or railing. This makes them much harder to quickly grab and haul away. For commercial roll-off dumpsters or larger containers, specialized locking bars that go through the bin's handles or built-in security chains are more robust solutions sold by waste management companies.
The main goal is to create a significant inconvenience for potential thieves. A simple, visible chain acts as a psychological deterrent. It's important to check with your local waste collection service first, though, as some municipalities have rules about modifying bins that their trucks need to lift automatically.
Beyond chaining, other good options include placing bins in a locked enclosure, using bins with built-in locking lids (which also prevent animal access), or even installing ground anchors. For businesses, investing in commercial-grade bins with integrated security features is often the most reliable long-term solution.
So, while chaining is a valid and helpful method, combining it with other security measures and using appropriate, heavy-duty hardware will give you the best protection against bin theft.