That's a really practical question I've wondered about myself when seeing damaged bins around the neighborhood. The short answer is: it depends, but often they are not directly interchangeable between different bins or brands without checking a few things first.
Most city-issued or standard municipal trash bins for homes are designed with some level of parts standardization, especially within the same model year or procurement batch. If your bin is provided by your local waste management department and the lid breaks, you should contact them first. They often have replacement lids or can swap the entire bin because they use standardized models for efficiency. I've called my city's sanitation department before for a cracked hinge, and they replaced the whole unit for free.
However, if you have a store-bought urban trash bin for personal use, interchangeability is less common. Lids are usually specifically molded to fit the exact dimensions and locking mechanisms of their matching base. A lid from Brand A rarely fits perfectly on Brand B's can. The clip positions, rim shape, and hinge type often differ.
What you can do is look for a manufacturer's label or model number on the underside of the broken lid or inside the bin rim. Many companies sell replacement lids directly. If it's a generic style, you might get lucky with a universal lid from a hardware store, but you'll need to measure the opening diameter and lip style carefully.
For true public space bins (like those on sidewalks), lids are almost always specific to the model and mounting system. Those require a parts order from the original supplier or fabricator.
So, while not universally interchangeable, a solution usually exists. Start by identifying the bin's source and model. Your best path is often a direct replacement part request, which saves time over trying random lids that likely won't seal correctly—which is crucial for keeping pests out and neighborhoods clean.