That's a great question, and one I think most of us have some experience with! If I had to pinpoint the single most common complaint, it would probably be overflowing bins. You see it all the time in parks, on street corners, or at bus stops—trash piled high or spilling out onto the ground because the bin hasn't been emptied frequently enough.
Right up there with overflowing is the issue of odor. Especially in warmer weather, the smell from decomposing food waste and other materials can be really unpleasant and even attract pests like insects and rodents. It makes people not want to go near the bin, which can lead to the next big problem: litter accumulating around the base of the bin. When a bin is full or smells bad, people often just leave their trash beside it, defeating the whole purpose.
Other frequent complaints include bins that are damaged, rusty, or missing lids, which doesn't help with the odor or pest issues. People also sometimes wish for better placement—more bins in high-traffic areas—and clearer signage about recycling vs. general waste to reduce contamination.
Ultimately, these complaints boil down to a need for more consistent and frequent maintenance. It's a simple concept, but getting the logistics right for public sanitation departments is a constant challenge.