That's an excellent and very practical question! Yes, the plastic used in most modern, quality urban trash cans is indeed UV protected. Municipalities and manufacturers understand that these bins live their entire lives outdoors, constantly exposed to the sun's rays. Without protection, standard plastics become brittle, fade dramatically, and can crack within just a few seasons.
The protection usually comes from additives mixed into the plastic resin during production. These UV stabilizers or inhibitors act like sunscreen, absorbing or reflecting the damaging ultraviolet radiation before it can break down the polymer chains in the plastic. You'll often find this in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bins, which are common for public spaces. The level of protection can vary, so while a basic residential bin might have minimal additives, heavy-duty commercial and municipal models are typically engineered for maximum UV resistance to ensure a long service life of 10 years or more. When sourcing bins, it's always good to check the product specifications for terms like "UV stabilized," "weather-resistant," or "for outdoor use" to confirm this feature.