That's a fantastic question that gets to the heart of practical urban design. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as the best approach depends heavily on the specific sidewalk's context. Let's break down the pros and cons of each strategy.
Having several small bins spaced closely together offers clear advantages. The primary benefit is convenience for pedestrians. When a bin is always in sight, people are less likely to litter. This is crucial in high-foot-traffic areas like shopping districts or transit stops. Small bins also fill up more slowly with individual items, preventing the eyesore and odor of a single, overflowing large bin. From a maintenance perspective, they are lighter and easier for workers to handle and replace. However, the downside is increased collection costs. A truck must make more stops to service numerous bins, leading to higher fuel and labor expenses. They also require more sidewalk space, which can clutter narrow walkways.
On the other hand, installing a few large, high-capacity bins is logistically efficient. Collection vehicles have fewer stops, making routes faster and cheaper to run. This can be ideal for wider sidewalks or areas with less dense pedestrian flow. A well-placed, large bin can serve a broader area effectively. The major risk, however, is overflow. If a single large bin fills up before the scheduled collection, it creates a significant litter problem that discourages proper disposal. People are also less inclined to carry trash for a long distance; if a large bin is not conveniently located, littering may increase.
So, what's the better choice? For dense, busy urban cores, a network of small, frequent bins is often superior for promoting cleanliness and public compliance. In more residential or spacious commercial zones, strategically placed large bins with reliable, frequent collection can work well. The smartest modern systems often use sensor technology in bins of either size to signal when they are nearly full, allowing for dynamic, efficient collection routes. Ultimately, the goal is to match the infrastructure to human behavior—making the right choice (the bin) the easy choice.