That's a great question that gets to the heart of practical urban design. Having lived in a city for years, I've used both types extensively. Honestly, there's no single "best" answer—it depends heavily on the specific location and its needs. Let's break down the pros and cons from a daily user's perspective.
For high-traffic pedestrian areas, I generally lean towards a well-designed swinging lid. The main advantage is hands-free operation. You can nudge it open with your knee or a bag of trash, which feels more hygienic when you're eating an on-the-go snack. A good one has a weighted or slow-close mechanism to prevent slamming. The downside? In windy spots, they can flap and become noisy or break. They also require more clearance in front, which can be a problem on narrow sidewalks.
Top-opening doors (like a flap or a panel you push in) are often sleeker and more vandal-resistant. They contain odors and litter better, which is a huge plus near cafes or residences. They're fantastic for tight spaces. The trade-off is you have to touch them. Even with a push panel, some people hesitate. In rainy weather, the horizontal surface can pool water, and if the mechanism jams, the bin becomes unusable.
So, which is better? For a general public sidewalk, a robust swinging lid wins on user-friendliness. For a bus stop, park bench area, or a spot prone to misuse, a sturdy top-opening door might be the smarter, lower-maintenance choice. The best solution I've seen? Some modern bins combine both: a top-opening panel for small litter and a larger swinging door for bigger bags. It's all about matching the design to the human behavior you expect at that exact spot.